Western Washington University vs. Whitworth University

Should I go to Western Washington University or Whitworth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Washington University or Whitworth 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UW-Seattle Washington State UO OSU EWU Central Washington University Gonzaga Seattle U Whitman College Portland State University UWB PLU
Western Washington University vs. Whitworth University comparison
Western Washington University Whitworth University College 3 College 4
Western Washington University Whitworth University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Western Washington University Whitworth University
Location Bellingham, WA Spokane, WA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,651 2,345
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #364 #314
Religious Affiliation - Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wwu.edu whitworth.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Washington University Whitworth University
Tuition (In State) $7,997 $49,600
Tuition (Out of State) $26,564 $49,600
Room & Board $14,915 $13,700
Avg Net Price $22,096 $27,491
Avg Grant Aid $7,041 $38,334
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Western Washington University Whitworth University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,243 4,740
Admitted 13,005 4,113
Acceptance Rate 91.3% 86.8%
Enrolled % 24.5% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 21/29
SAT Range 1110/1350 1100/1320
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 31, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

Western Washington University Whitworth University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Western Washington University Whitworth University
Graduation Rate 73% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,413 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $200 $268

Diversity

Western Washington University Whitworth University
% Men 2% 6%
% Women 4% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 75%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 9% 6%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Western Washington University Whitworth University
% In-State 83% 73%
% Out-of-State 16% 24%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than Whitworth University based on total student enrollment (14,651 students vs. 2,345 students)

Western Washington University vs. Whitworth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Washington University or Whitworth University?

  • Whitworth University is 520.2% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($49,600.00 vs. $7,997.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.7% higher at Whitworth University than Western Washington University ($49,600.00 vs. $26,564.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than Whitworth University ($22,096 vs. $27,491)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitworth University are 8.9% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($13,700 vs. $14,915)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Whitworth University than Western Washington University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whitworth University students is 444.4% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($38,334 vs. $7,041)

Western Washington University vs. Whitworth University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Washington University or Whitworth University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Whitworth University or Western Washington University .

  • Accepted freshman Whitworth University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Whitworth University (86.8%)

Western Washington University vs. Whitworth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Washington University or Whitworth 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 Whitworth University and Western Washington University.

  • The graduation rate at Whitworth University is higher than Western Washington University (80% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Western Washington University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Whitworth University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $46,200)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $6,587 lower median federal student loan debt than Whitworth University graduates. ($19,413 vs. $26,000)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Whitworth University graduates. ($200 vs. $268)
  • More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whitworth University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 71%)

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