Washington State University

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Pullman, WA
  • 4.3 3 reviews
#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

Overview

Total enrollment

25,685
Washington State University overview
Washington State University overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Washington State University's main campus is situated in Pullman, a rural college town in eastern Washington's Palouse region, approximately 75 miles south of Spokane. Established in 1890 as a land-grant institution, WSU's campus features a blend of historic brick buildings and modern facilities spread across 1,742 acres of rolling hills. The university maintains strong academic programs in veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering, and communications, with the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication being particularly notable. Most freshmen live in on-campus residence halls, and the university participates in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, with its Cougars competing in various sports. WSU operates as a multi-campus system with additional locations in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Everett, though Pullman remains the flagship campus.

Ratings

Washington State is rated within the top 41% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    6 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    6 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    8 out of 10
  • Value
    6 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Moderate
Washington State University admission standards
  • GPA 3.5

Acceptance Rate

86.6%
Washington State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Jan 31, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 19.7%
  • Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Washington Resident Tuition

$13,391

Out of State Resident Tuition

$29,950

Breakdown

In State Costs for Washington State University
  • Tuition $13,391
  • Books and Supplies $762
  • Other Fees $2,086
  • Room and Board $13,622
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,444
  • Total One Year Cost $33,305

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$54,400 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

67% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Washington State University are Business, Social Sciences, and Health Professions. 18% of students major in Business, 16% in Social Sciences, and 8% in Health Professions.

  • Business 18%
  • Social Sciences 16%
  • Health Professions 8%
  • Engineering 8%
  • Communication 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Washington State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236939.

GPA calculator: Washington State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026