Evergreen vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than Evergreen based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 2,490 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Evergreen State College is located in Olympia, WA (Midsize Suburban setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• The Evergreen State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Evergreen State College 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Evergreen vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Evergreen or Western Washington University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The Evergreen State College than Western Washington University ($18,350 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Evergreen State College are 7.4% lower than at Western Washington University ($14,589 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Evergreen (about $318 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $9,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at Evergreen than at Western Washington University (about $3,198 more per year; $31,905.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at The Evergreen State College (93% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Evergreen State College students is 66.1% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($11,466 vs. $6,902).

Evergreen vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Evergreen or Western Washington University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Washington University and Evergreen.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 130 points higher than at Evergreen (1140).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Evergreen).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Evergreen State College 1035/1253; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Evergreen State College 23/29; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Evergreen - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Evergreen (3.12).
• Evergreen has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Western Washington University (93.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.4% at Evergreen vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Evergreen vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Evergreen and Western Washington University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than The Evergreen State College's (54%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Evergreen graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Evergreen State College graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($17,595 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, Evergreen graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($181 vs. $200).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Evergreen students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.