UO vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Oregon is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (24,404 students vs. 14,710 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oregon is located in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Oregon 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 Oregon 19:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

UO vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UO 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 Western Washington University than UO ($24,338 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 5.2% lower than at University of Oregon ($15,747 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 68.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $6,555 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.4% higher at UO than at Western Washington University (about $15,891 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Oregon (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oregon students is 38.5% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($9,560 vs. $6,902).

UO vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UO or Western Washington University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Washington University and UO.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 20 points higher than at UO (1250).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Oregon 1130/1360; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Oregon 23/30; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UO - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UO students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UO (88.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at UO vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

UO vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UO and Western Washington University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Oregon's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Oregon earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,688 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($19,413 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($200 vs. $218).
• More Western Washington University 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.