Willamette University vs. Western Oregon State College

Should I go to Willamette University or Western Oregon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Willamette University or Western Oregon State College 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
Willamette University vs. Western Oregon University comparison
Willamette University Western Oregon University College 3 College 4
Willamette University Western Oregon University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Location Salem, OR Monmouth, OR
Setting Midsize City Town Fringe
Enrollment 2,112 3,857
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #253 #865
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website willamette.edu wou.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Tuition (In State) $48,000 $9,000
Tuition (Out of State) $48,000 $28,710
Room & Board $15,490 $11,610
Avg Net Price $27,716 $15,249
Avg Grant Aid $34,396 $8,319
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 90%

Admission

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,107 2,898
Admitted 3,249 2,860
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 98.7%
Enrolled % 15.5% 22.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.36
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/32 21/26
SAT Range 1220/1430 868/1108
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, 2026

Academics

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)

Outcomes

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Graduation Rate 77% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $24,502
Median Loan Payment $268 $253

Diversity

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
% Men 12% 4%
% Women 14% 12%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 66%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 10% 0%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
% In-State 25% 85%
% Out-of-State 73% 15%

Campus

Willamette University Western Oregon State College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Oregon University is larger than than Willamette University based on total student enrollment (3,857 students vs. 2,112 students)

Willamette University vs. Western Oregon State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Willamette University or Western Oregon State College?

  • Willamette University is 433.3% more expensive to attend than Western Oregon State College for in-state tuition ($48,000.00 vs. $9,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.2% higher at Willamette University than Western Oregon University ($48,000.00 vs. $28,710.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Oregon University than Willamette University ($15,249 vs. $27,716)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Oregon University are 33.4% lower than costs at Willamette University ($11,610 vs. $15,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Willamette University than Western Oregon University (100% vs. 90%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Willamette University students is 313.5% larger than aid received Western Oregon University ($34,396 vs. $8,319)

Willamette University vs. Western Oregon State College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Willamette University (1228) is 282 points higher than at Western Oregon State College (946)
  • Incoming Willamette University students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Western Oregon State College (20)
  • Accepted freshman Willamette University students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Western Oregon State College (3.36)
  • Western Oregon State College has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Willamette University (79.1%)

Willamette University vs. Western Oregon State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Willamette University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Oregon State College and Willamette University.

  • The graduation rate at Willamette University is higher than Western Oregon University (77% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Willamette University earn on average $12,900 more per year than Western Oregon State College graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $41,400)
  • Western Oregon University students graduate with a $1,498 lower median federal student loan debt than Willamette University graduates. ($24,502 vs. $26,000)
  • Western Oregon State College graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Willamette University graduates. ($253 vs. $268)
  • More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Oregon State College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 53%)

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