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#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

Washington State Admission Requirements

Pullman, Washington

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Washington State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

83.1%
Admission Difficulty for Washington State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Washington State is 83.1%.  Its admission rate is the 10th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Washington State and can you get accepted?

Washington State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 16,123 out of the 19,401 who applied were admitted.

Washington State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.5. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Washington State?

83% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Washington State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.5 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT

Washington State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.5

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Washington State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Washington State are to have around a 3.5 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.5 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Washington State accepts 83% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Washington State is 3.5 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #11 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Washington State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Washington State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 3.2% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.6% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 24.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 21.8% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 17.2% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 7.1% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.3% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Washington State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Washington State University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1020-1210

Applicants Submitting SAT 

85%
SAT Scores for Washington State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1020
SAT Scores for Washington State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1210
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Washington State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Washington State is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1210. Students who get into Washington State University score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers..  Washington State ranks #13 in the state of Washington for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Washington State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 920, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Washington State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1115, you have around a 83% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 90% chance of getting in.

Washington State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1210 and Above Good >90%
1115 to 1210 Avg + 83%-90%
1020 to 1115 Avg - 72%-83%
925 to 1020 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 925 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

Washington State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

26%
ACT Scores for Washington State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Washington State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Washington State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Washington State is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 26.  The school ranks #13 in Washington for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

26 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Washington State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Washington State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Washington State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 83% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 26 ACT score.

Washington State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >90%
23 to 26 Avg + 83%-90%
20 to 23 Avg - 72%-83%
17 to 20 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 17 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Washington State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,260 8,141 19,401
Accepted 9,442 6,681 16,123
Acceptance Rate 84% 82% 83%
Enrolled 2,104 1,887 3,991
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 22% 28% 25%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 31, 2025

Days left to Apply

49

Applicants have 49 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 31, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Washington State University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Washington State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Washington State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Washington State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Washington State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.5 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Washington State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236939 IPEDS survey data for Washington State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024