Western Washington University
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Bellingham, WA
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5.0 2 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
14,710- Location Bellingham, Washington
- Website wwu.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Small City
Best Colleges Rank
#362- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Western Washington University sits on a hillside campus overlooking Bellingham Bay, located 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. The 215-acre campus, established in 1893 as a normal school, features a mix of modern and historic red-brick buildings amid the Pacific Northwest landscape, including several outdoor sculptures that comprise an notable public art collection. A predominantly undergraduate institution, Western Washington maintains competitive admission standards and is recognized for its environmental studies, engineering technology, and education programs. The university houses the majority of first-year students in its on-campus residence halls, while many upperclassmen live in nearby neighborhoods. As a member of the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Western Washington competes in 15 varsity sports, with particular prominence in women's rowing and men's basketball.
Ratings
Western Washington University is rated within the top 39% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.
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Overall Rating7 out of 10
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Academics7 out of 10
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Resources6 out of 10
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Outcomes7 out of 10
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Value4 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Western Washington University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1150/1390
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/31
- GPA 3.46
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Jan 31, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 22.9%
- Application Fee $70
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Washington Resident Tuition
$9,582Out of State Resident Tuition
$28,707Breakdown
- Tuition $9,582
- Books and Supplies $1,224
- Other Fees $1,342
- Room and Board $15,747
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,722
- Total One Year Cost $32,617
- Tuition $28,707
- Books and Supplies $1,224
- Other Fees $1,342
- Room and Board $15,747
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,722
- Total One Year Cost $51,742
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Western Washington University are Business, Social Sciences, and English and Literature. 13% of students major in Business, 13% in Social Sciences, and 8% in English and Literature.
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Business 13%
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Social Sciences 13%
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English and Literature 8%
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Visual and Performing Arts 6%
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Psychology 6%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Western Washington University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237011.
GPA calculator: Western Washington University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026