ULM vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA 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 ULM based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe 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 Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

ULM vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe than Western Washington University ($13,648 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 33% lower than at Western Washington University ($10,554 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $392 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at Western Washington University than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $7,417 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Western Washington University (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 93.2% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($13,338 vs. $6,902).

ULM vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM 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 ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 10 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than ULM (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

ULM vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $587 lower median loan debt than ULM graduates ($19,413 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ULM graduates ($200 vs. $206).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 49%)

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.