WSU vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Wichita State University in Wichita, KS with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wichita State University is larger than Western Washington University based on total student enrollment (16,689 students vs. 14,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wichita State University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wichita State University 19:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

WSU vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wichita State University than Western Washington University ($14,228 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wichita State University are 21.1% lower than at Western Washington University ($12,420 vs. $15,747).
• Wichita State University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $102 more per year; $9,684.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Western Washington University than at Wichita State University (about $8,838 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Wichita State University (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wichita State University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($8,125 vs. $6,902).

WSU vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 200 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming Western Washington University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 905/1240; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 17/25; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Western Washington University (93.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at WSU vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

WSU vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Western Washington University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,087 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,413 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($200 vs. $211).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

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.