Western Oregon University

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Monmouth, OR
  • 3.0 2 reviews
#5 Best Public Universities in Oregon

Overview

Total enrollment

3,722
Western Oregon University overview
Western Oregon University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Western Oregon University sits in Monmouth, a small town in Oregon's Willamette Valley, located approximately 15 miles west of Salem, the state capital. Established in 1856 as Monmouth University and later becoming Oregon State Normal School, WOU is the oldest public university on the west coast. The 157-acre campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the original administration building Campbell Hall serving as an architectural centerpiece. The university maintains a focus on education and teaching programs, while also offering comprehensive liberal arts degrees and notable programs in criminal justice, psychology, and business. Students typically reside in one of several residence halls during their first year, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Wolves.

Ratings

Western Oregon State College is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    3 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
Western Oregon University admission standards
  • GPA 3.36

Acceptance Rate

98.1%
Western Oregon University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 18.6%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Oregon Resident Tuition

$11,879

Out of State Resident Tuition

$32,534

Breakdown

In State Costs for Western Oregon University
  • Tuition $11,879
  • Books and Supplies $1,125
  • Other Fees $2,429
  • Room and Board $12,528
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,676
  • Total One Year Cost $30,637

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,400 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

39% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Western Oregon University are Business, Education, and General Studies. 15% of students major in Business, 11% in Education, and 10% in General Studies.

  • Business 15%
  • Education 11%
  • General Studies 10%
  • Psychology 10%
  • Social Sciences 9%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Western Oregon University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=210429.

GPA calculator: Western Oregon University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026