Overview
Enrollment
Western Oregon University sits in Monmouth, a small town in Oregon's Willamette Valley, located approximately 15 miles west of Salem, the state capital. Established in 1856 as Monmouth University and later becoming Oregon State Normal School, WOU is the oldest public university on the west coast. The 157-acre campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the original administration building Campbell Hall serving as an architectural centerpiece. The university maintains a focus on education and teaching programs, while also offering comprehensive liberal arts degrees and notable programs in criminal justice, psychology, and business. Students typically reside in one of several residence halls during their first year, and the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Wolves.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Western Oregon State College is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Oregon University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#865 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#331 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Colleges in Oregon
#5 in Best Public Colleges in Oregon
#37 in Best Value Colleges in Oregon
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 868/1108 |
| ACT | 21/26 |
| GPA | 3.36 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Oregon Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,125 |
| Other Fees | $2,025 |
| Room and Board | $11,610 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,646 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,406 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,125 |
| Other Fees | $2,025 |
| Room and Board | $11,610 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,646 |
| Total One Year Cost | $46,116 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 15% |
| Education | 11% |
| General Studies | 10% |
| Psychology | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Western Oregon University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=210429 IPEDS survey data for Western Oregon University.
Current students may use the Western Oregon University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025