Western Washington University vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Washington University 18:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

Western Washington University vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Washington University or UWT? 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 Washington Tacoma Campus than Western Washington University ($13,898 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 3.8% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($15,747 vs. $16,371).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 37.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,586 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.2% higher at UWT than at Western Washington University (about $14,697 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 76.2% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($12,161 vs. $6,902).

Western Washington University vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Washington University or UWT? 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 UWT and Western Washington University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 200 points higher than at UWT (1070).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 1150/1390; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 24/31; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Washington University - Test optional; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027; UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UWT (3.41).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Western Washington University vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Western Washington University vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Washington University and UWT? 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).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $4,413 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($155 vs. $200).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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.