University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nevada Reno in Reno, NV with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nevada Reno is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (23,024 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nevada Reno is located in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Nevada Reno 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 Nevada Reno 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Nevada-Reno 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 Nevada Reno than Western Washington University ($17,226 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 7.9% lower than at Western Washington University ($14,496 vs. $15,747).
• Western Washington University is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $4 more per year; $9,582.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at Western Washington University than at University of Nevada Reno (about $987 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno as at Western Washington University (93% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nevada Reno students is 6.9% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($7,375 vs. $6,902).

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 90 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nevada Reno 19/26; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Nevada-Reno 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 Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $612 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($18,801 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($194 vs. $200).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 64%)

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.