State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to State University of New York at New Paltz or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if State University of New York at New Paltz or Western Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Western Washington University comparison
State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University College 3 College 4
State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
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Overview

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Location New Paltz, NY Bellingham, WA
Setting Town Fringe Small City
Enrollment 7,420 14,651
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #285 #364
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website newpaltz.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $7,070 $7,997
Tuition (Out of State) $16,980 $26,564
Room & Board $15,896 $14,915
Avg Net Price $17,848 $22,096
Avg Grant Aid $8,776 $7,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 93%

Admission

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,249 14,243
Admitted 9,538 13,005
Acceptance Rate 58.7% 91.3%
Enrolled % 11.7% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/29 23/29
SAT Range 1170/1340 1110/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026 Jan 31, 2026

Academics

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 69% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,400 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 72% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,000 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $196 $200

Diversity

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
% Men 4% 2%
% Women 9% 4%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 63% 73%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 17% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 9%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
% In-State 95% 83%
% Out-of-State 5% 16%

Campus

State University of New York at New Paltz Western Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than State University of New York at New Paltz based on total student enrollment (14,651 students vs. 7,420 students)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, State University of New York at New Paltz or Western Washington University?

  • Western Washington University is 13.1% more expensive to attend than State University of New York at New Paltz for in-state tuition ($7,997.00 vs. $7,070.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.4% higher at Western Washington University than State University of New York at New Paltz ($26,564.00 vs. $16,980.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at State University of New York at New Paltz than Western Washington University ($17,848 vs. $22,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 6.6% lower than costs at State University of New York at New Paltz ($14,915 vs. $15,896)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Washington University than State University of New York at New Paltz (93% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students is 24.6% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($8,776 vs. $7,041)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, State University of New York at New Paltz or Western Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Washington University or State University of New York at New Paltz .

  • The average SAT score at State University of New York at New Paltz (1124) is 10 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming State University of New York at New Paltz students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman State University of New York at New Paltz students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than State University of New York at New Paltz (58.7%)

State University of New York at New Paltz vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, State University of New York at New Paltz or Western Washington University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Western Washington University and State University of New York at New Paltz.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than State University of New York at New Paltz (73% vs. 69%)
  • Graduates from Western Washington University earn on average $600 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $47,400)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz students graduate with a $413 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Washington University graduates. ($19,000 vs. $19,413)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Western Washington University graduates. ($196 vs. $200)
  • More State University of New York at New Paltz graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/