Western Washington University vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Washington University 18:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Western Washington University vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Washington University or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College ($24,338 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 4.2% lower than at Western Washington University ($15,080 vs. $15,747).
• Whitman College is 568.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $54,468 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.1% higher at Whitman College than at Western Washington University (about $35,343 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Western Washington University (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 486.6% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($40,489 vs. $6,902).

Western Washington University vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 130 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 1150/1390; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 24/31; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Washington University - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Western Washington University vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Western Washington University vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Western Washington University's (73%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $1,913 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($180 vs. $200).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.