University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to University of Nevada Reno or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Nevada-Reno 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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University of Nevada Reno vs. Western Washington University comparison
University of Nevada Reno Western Washington University College 3 College 4
University of Nevada Reno Western Washington University
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Overview

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
Location Reno, NV Bellingham, WA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 21,778 14,651
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #400 #364
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unr.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $7,876 $7,997
Tuition (Out of State) $24,832 $26,564
Room & Board $13,700 $14,915
Avg Net Price $16,801 $22,096
Avg Grant Aid $6,658 $7,041
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 93%

Admission

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,142 14,243
Admitted 8,652 13,005
Acceptance Rate 85.3% 91.3%
Enrolled % 39.5% 24.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/26 23/29
SAT Range 1060/1270 1110/1350
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 7, 2026 Jan 31, 2026

Academics

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 51% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,801 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $194 $200

Diversity

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
% Men 7% 2%
% Women 11% 4%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 60% 73%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 9%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Nevada-Reno Western Washington University
% In-State 75% 83%
% Out-of-State 24% 16%

Campus

University of Nevada-Reno 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

  • University of Nevada Reno is larger than than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (21,778 students vs. 14,651 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, University of Nevada-Reno or Western Washington University?

  • Western Washington University is 1.5% more expensive to attend than University of Nevada-Reno for in-state tuition ($7,997.00 vs. $7,876.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7% higher at Western Washington University than University of Nevada Reno ($26,564.00 vs. $24,832.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nevada Reno than Western Washington University ($16,801 vs. $22,096)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 8.9% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($13,700 vs. $14,915)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Washington University than University of Nevada Reno (93% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Washington University students is 5.8% larger than aid received University of Nevada Reno ($7,041 vs. $6,658)

University of Nevada-Reno vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Washington University (1114) is 30 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1084)
  • Incoming Western Washington University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (24)
  • 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 (91.3%) than University of Nevada-Reno (85.3%)

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

Which is better, University of Nevada-Reno 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 University of Nevada-Reno.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than University of Nevada Reno (73% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn on average $5,400 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $48,000)
  • University of Nevada Reno students graduate with a $612 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Washington University graduates. ($18,801 vs. $19,413)
  • University of Nevada-Reno graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans 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/