UA Huntsville vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama in Huntsville in Huntsville, AL with Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than UA Huntsville based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 8,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama in Huntsville 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

UA Huntsville vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UA Huntsville or Western Washington University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alabama in Huntsville than Western Washington University ($19,396 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama in Huntsville are 21.1% lower than at Western Washington University ($12,428 vs. $15,747).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $2,550 more per year; $12,132.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Western Washington University than at University of Alabama in Huntsville (about $2,299 more per year; $28,707.00 vs. $26,408.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama in Huntsville than at Western Washington University (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama in Huntsville students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($9,268 vs. $6,902).

UA Huntsville vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville or Western Washington University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Washington University and UA Huntsville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama in Huntsville (1310) is 40 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming UA Huntsville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Western Washington University (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 1210/1410; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 24/31; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UA Huntsville - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UA Huntsville students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UA Huntsville (68.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at UA Huntsville vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

UA Huntsville vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UA Huntsville and Western Washington University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Alabama in Huntsville's (45%).
• Graduates from University of Alabama in Huntsville earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $4,087 lower median loan debt than UA Huntsville graduates ($19,413 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UA Huntsville graduates ($200 vs. $242).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UA Huntsville students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.