Idaho vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Idaho in Moscow, ID 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 Idaho based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 12,286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Idaho is located in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Idaho is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Idaho 18:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Idaho vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho 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 University of Idaho than Western Washington University ($15,111 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 28.6% lower than at Western Washington University ($11,243 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Idaho (about $498 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $9,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Western Washington University than at University of Idaho (about $387 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $28,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at Western Washington University (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 82.1% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($12,568 vs. $6,902).

Idaho vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Idaho 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 Idaho.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 160 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Idaho).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 990/1230; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 20/26; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Idaho - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Idaho students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Idaho (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Idaho vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

Idaho vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Idaho 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 University of Idaho's (51%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Idaho graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $4,866 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($19,413 vs. $24,279).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($200 vs. $251).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.