Western Washington University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA with Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Washington University is larger than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 1,296 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting); Oregon State University Cascades Campus is in Bend, OR (Small City setting).
• Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University Cascades Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Washington University 18:1; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 9:1.

Western Washington University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Washington University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Oregon State University Cascades Campus than Western Washington University ($19,772 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 3.9% lower than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus ($15,747 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University Cascades Campus is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,984 more per year; $13,566.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus than at Western Washington University (about $8,649 more per year; $37,356.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University Cascades Campus students is 60% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($11,046 vs. $6,902).

Western Washington University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Washington University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus and Western Washington University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Washington University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 1150/1390; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 1143/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Washington University - Test optional; Oregon State University-Cascades Campus - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (63.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Western Washington University vs. 13.8% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.

Western Washington University vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Washington University and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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).

• Graduates from Oregon State University Cascades Campus earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates ($19,413 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates ($200 vs. $242).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oregon State University-Cascades Campus students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.