Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Bellingham, Washington |
| Online | wwu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Western Washington University sits on a hillside campus overlooking Bellingham Bay, located 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. The 215-acre campus, established in 1893 as a normal school, features a mix of modern and historic red-brick buildings amid the Pacific Northwest landscape, including several outdoor sculptures that comprise an notable public art collection. A predominantly undergraduate institution, Western Washington maintains competitive admission standards and is recognized for its environmental studies, engineering technology, and education programs. The university houses the majority of first-year students in its on-campus residence halls, while many upperclassmen live in nearby neighborhoods. As a member of the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Western Washington competes in 15 varsity sports, with particular prominence in women's rowing and men's basketball.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Western Washington University is rated within the top 39% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Western Washington University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#364 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#100 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in Washington
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Washington
#525 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Value Colleges in Washington
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1110/1350 |
| ACT | 23/29 |
| GPA | 3.46 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Washington Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,176 |
| Other Fees | $1,289 |
| Room and Board | $14,915 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,590 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,967 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,176 |
| Other Fees | $1,289 |
| Room and Board | $14,915 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,590 |
| Total One Year Cost | $48,534 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6% |
| Psychology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Western Washington University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237011 IPEDS survey data for Western Washington University.
Current students may use the Western Washington University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025