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UW-Seattle Washington State UO OSU Lewis and Clark EWU Central Washington University Seattle U Gonzaga Portland State University University of Puget Sound UWB| Willamette University | Western Washington University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
| Location | Salem, OR | Bellingham, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,112 | 14,651 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #253 | #364 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | willamette.edu | wwu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $48,000 | $7,997 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $48,000 | $26,564 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,490 | $14,915 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,716 | $22,096 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,396 | $7,041 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 93% |
Admission |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,107 | 14,243 | ||
| Admitted | 3,249 | 13,005 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.1% | 91.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.5% | 24.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.97 | 3.46 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 27/32 | 23/29 | ||
| SAT Range | 1220/1430 | 1110/1350 | ||
| 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 | Jan 31, 2026 |
Academics |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 77% | 73% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,300 | $48,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 80% | 71% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $19,413 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $200 |
Diversity |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 12% | 2% | ||
| % Women | 14% | 4% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 62% | 73% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 12% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 10% | 9% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 25% | 83% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 73% | 16% | ||
Campus |
Willamette University | Western Washington University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Western Washington University is larger than than Willamette University based on total student enrollment (14,651 students vs. 2,112 students)
Willamette University vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Willamette University or Western Washington University?
- Willamette University is 500.2% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($48,000.00 vs. $7,997.00)
- Out of state tuition is 80.7% higher at Willamette University than Western Washington University ($48,000.00 vs. $26,564.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than Willamette University ($22,096 vs. $27,716)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 3.9% lower than costs at Willamette University ($14,915 vs. $15,490)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Willamette University than Western Washington University (100% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Willamette University students is 388.5% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($34,396 vs. $7,041)
Willamette University vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Willamette University or Western Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Western Washington University or Willamette University .
- The average SAT score at Willamette University (1228) is 114 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
- Incoming Willamette University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Western Washington University (25)
- Accepted freshman Willamette University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
- Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Willamette University (79.1%)
Willamette University vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Willamette University or Western Washington 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 Western Washington University and Willamette University.
- The graduation rate at Willamette University is higher than Western Washington University (77% vs. 73%)
- Graduates from Willamette University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $48,000)
- Western Washington University students graduate with a $6,587 lower median federal student loan debt than Willamette University graduates. ($19,413 vs. $26,000)
- Western Washington University graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Willamette University graduates. ($200 vs. $268)
- More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 71%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/