UO vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oregon in Eugene, OR with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than UO based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oregon is located in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Oregon is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Oregon 19:1; Washington State University 15:1.

UO vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UO or Washington State? 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 Washington State University than UO ($18,171 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 18% lower than at University of Oregon ($13,622 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $2,746 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at UO than at Washington State University (about $14,648 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oregon than at Washington State University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 13.9% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($10,886 vs. $9,560).

UO vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UO or Washington State? 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 Washington State and UO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oregon (1250) is 130 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming UO students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 1130/1360; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 23/30; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UO - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UO students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• UO has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at UO vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

UO vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UO and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Oregon's (66%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $672 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($20,429 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($211 vs. $218).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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.