Willamette University Demographics & Diversity

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Salem, OR
4.8 4 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Medium

Racial Diversity Index: 56%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Willamette University are primarily White with a smaller Hispanic population. The school has medium racial diversity. 38% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Willamette University students
Race	Percent of Students
White	62%
Black	2%
Hispanic	12%
Asian	9%
American Indian / Alaskan	1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	0%
Two or more races	10%
International	1%
Race Unknown	2%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 48%

There are 53% more female students than male students enrolled at Willamette University with a gender ratio of 60% women to 40% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Willamette University has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Willamette University students
Gender	Percent of Students
Men	40%
Women	60%

Enrollment by gender for Willamette University students
Gender	Number of Students
Men	863
Women	1,317

Geographic Diversity

High

Geographic Diversity Index: 69%

Willamette University draws 31 percent of students from Oregon, 67 percent from other states, and 2 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Oregon, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Willamette University students
Origin	Percent of Students
In State	31%
Out of State	67%
Foreign	2%
Unknown Location	0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

$68,135 per year

23% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

2,180

Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment	Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old	0.9%
Part-time undergraduates	1%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Willamette University often consider these colleges

Lewis & Clark College

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University of Puget Sound

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Whitman College

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Reed College

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University of Oregon

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University of Portland

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Seattle University

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Oregon State University

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Park University

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Clark University

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Pacific University

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Linfield University

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Western Oregon University

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University of Washington Seattle Campus

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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=210401.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026