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    Western Washington University

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    Overview

    Western Washington University is a public 4-year college located in Bellingham, Washington. There are currently 13,686 undergraduates at Western Washington and the school’s acceptance rate is 93%. The tuition at Western Washington is $8,967 for in-state students and $26,873 for out-of-state.

    Western Washington University
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $28,875

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $28,408

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $18,373

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $8,967
    Books & Supplies
    $1,086
    Room & Board
    $14,691
    Other
    $4,131

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $28,875

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $26,873
    Books & Supplies
    $1,086
    Room & Board
    $14,691
    Other
    $4,131

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $46,781

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since Western Washington is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Western Washington is $28,875 for in-state students in WA, and $46,781 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Western Washington would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Western Washington University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Western Washington University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Western Washington University is 003802.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange

    Western Washington is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Western Washington. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.

    Pell Grants at Western Washington University

    21% of students at Western Washington University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Western Washington University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Western Washington students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Admissions

    93%

    Admission Rate

    26

    Average ACT

    1158 is the median SAT score and 26 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Western Washington. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is Western Washington test-optional?

    Western Washington University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Western Washington University?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Western Washington University receive between a 25 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1070 and a 1290 on their SAT.

    November
    1

    Early Action

    January
    31

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Western Washington?

    Students must apply by January 31 to enroll at Western Washington during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Western Washington, remember that the deadline is November 1.

    Should I apply Early Action at Western Washington?

    Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

    Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 17:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 65%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    12%

    12% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Education

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Psychology

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    5%

    5% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Engineering

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 13,686

    Pell Grant 22%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 8%

    Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%

    Ethnic Diversity at Western Washington

    69% White

    11% Hispanic

    9% Multiracial

    6% Asian / Pacific Islander

    2% Black

    1% Unknown

    1% International / Non-Citizen

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $62,569

    Median Debt $18,500

    Debt 10 years after graduation $196

    Graduation Rate 65%

    What is the graduation rate at Western Washington University?

    65% of students who start at Western Washington University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 7% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Western Washington University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Western Washington University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $62,569. This is $12,178 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Western Washington take out in loans?

    Graduates of Western Washington have to take out a median of $18,500 in federal student loans. This is $5,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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