Western Washington University vs. UWB

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than UWB based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 6,058 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting); University of Washington Bothell Campus is in Bothell, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Bothell Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Washington University 18:1; University of Washington Bothell Campus 22:1.

Western Washington University vs. UWB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Washington University or UWB? 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 Washington Bothell Campus than Western Washington University ($10,777 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Washington University are 10.2% lower than at University of Washington Bothell Campus ($15,747 vs. $17,538).
• University of Washington Bothell Campus is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,337 more per year; $12,919.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at UWB than at Western Washington University (about $14,448 more per year; $43,155.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Washington Bothell Campus (93% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Bothell Campus students is 135.8% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($16,272 vs. $6,902).

Western Washington University vs. UWB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Washington University or UWB? 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 UWB and Western Washington University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Bothell Campus (1320) is 50 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming UWB students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 1150/1390; University of Washington Bothell Campus 1170/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Washington University 24/31; University of Washington Bothell Campus 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Washington University - Test optional; UWB - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWB students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UWB (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Western Washington University vs. 23.9% at UWB.

Western Washington University vs. UWB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Washington University and UWB? 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 University of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Bothell Campus graduates have a $4,413 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,413).
• Among borrowers, UWB graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($155 vs. $200).
• More UWB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 71%)

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.