University of Puget Sound vs. Western Washington University

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

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Location Tacoma, WA Bellingham, WA
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 2,023 14,747
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #182 #378
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pugetsound.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $57,330 $7,760
Tuition (Out of State) $57,330 $25,666
Room & Board $14,430 $14,691
Avg Net Price $41,363 $21,105
Avg Grant Aid $32,482 $6,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,345 11,864
Admitted 4,418 10,997
Acceptance Rate 82.7% 92.7%
Enrolled % 9.2% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/32 25/30
SAT Range 1170/1390 1130/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jan 31, 2025

Academics

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 73% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,600 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $279 $200

Diversity

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 73%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 7% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 9%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
% In-State 23% 83%
% Out-of-State 76% 17%

Campus

University of Puget Sound Western Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (14,747 students vs. 2,023 students)

University of Puget Sound vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Puget Sound or Western Washington University?

  • University of Puget Sound is 638.8% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($57,330.00 vs. $7,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 123.4% higher at University of Puget Sound than Western Washington University ($57,330.00 vs. $25,666.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than University of Puget Sound ($21,105 vs. $41,363)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Puget Sound are 1.8% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($14,430 vs. $14,691)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Puget Sound than Western Washington University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Puget Sound students is 398% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($32,482 vs. $6,522)

University of Puget Sound vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Puget Sound 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 Puget Sound .

  • Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Puget Sound (82.7%)

University of Puget Sound vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Puget Sound 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 Puget Sound.

  • The graduation rate at University of Puget Sound is the same as at Western Washington University (73% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn on average $9,600 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($57,600 vs. $48,000)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $7,587 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($19,413 vs. $27,000)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($200 vs. $279)
  • More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/