Western Washington University vs. Whitman College

Western Washington University and Whitman College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Washington University
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Whitman College (38.1% admitted vs 93.2%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Western Washington University. Average net price is $24,338 vs $37,633 at Whitman College.
  • Graduation: Western Washington University 73% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Western Washington University $48,000 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Western Washington University Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Whitman College more selective
Western Washington University93.2%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Whitman College higher
Western Washington University1150-1390
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
Western Washington University $13,295 less
Western Washington University$24,338
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
Western Washington University $54,468 less
Western Washington University$9,582
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
Western Washington University $35,343 less
Western Washington University$28,707
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Whitman College +13 pts
Western Washington University73%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Whitman College +$8,900
Western Washington University$48,000
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Western Washington University 14,115
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • Western Washington University 13,162
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • Western Washington University 93.2%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Western Washington University 22.9%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Western Washington University 1270
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Western Washington University 27
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Western Washington University 3.46
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • Western Washington University B+
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Western Washington University Very High
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Western Washington University
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • Western Washington University 1150-1390
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Western Washington University 24-31
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Western Washington University Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Western Washington University $9,582
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Western Washington University $28,707
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • Western Washington University $15,747
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • Western Washington University $24,338
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • Western Washington University $6,902
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Western Washington University 93%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Western Washington University 73%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Western Washington University $48,000
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Western Washington University 71%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Western Washington University $19,413
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Western Washington University $200
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Western Washington University 18:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Western Washington University
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • Western Washington University Small City
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Western Washington University 14,710
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • Western Washington University Public 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Western Washington University #362
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Washington University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (14,710 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Washington University 18:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 4.2% lower than at Western Washington University ($15,080 vs. $15,747).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 123.1% higher at Whitman College than at Western Washington University (about $35,343 more per year; $64,050 vs. $28,707).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whitman College than at Western Washington University (94% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 486.6% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($40,489 vs. $6,902).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Whitman College than at Western Washington University (31 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Western Washington University and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Whitman College average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Western Washington University (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at Western Washington University vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $1,913 lower median loan debt than Western Washington University graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,413).
  • Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Washington University graduates ($180 vs. $200).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University students, three years after graduation (93% vs. 71%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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