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#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

Western Washington University Admission Requirements

Bellingham, Washington

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Western Washington University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

92.7%
Admission Difficulty for Western Washington University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Western Washington University is 92.7%.  Its admission rate is the 19th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

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

Western Washington 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, 10,997 out of the 11,864 who applied were admitted.

Western Washington University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Western Washington University?

93% 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 Western Washington University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.46 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT

Western Washington University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.46

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Western Washington University are to have around a 3.46 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.46 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Western Washington University accepts 93% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Western Washington University is 3.46 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 #13 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Western Washington University 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 Western Washington University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 3.7% Good
3.75 to 3.99 26.8% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.5% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.9% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 13.7% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.6% 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 

Western Washington University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Western Washington University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 12% of students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1130-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

12%
SAT Scores for Western Washington University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1130
SAT Scores for Western Washington University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 690
Math 75th Percentile 650
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Western Washington University is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1130-1340. Students who get into Western Washington University score in the top 36 percent of all SAT test takers..  Western Washington University ranks #9 in the state of Washington for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Western Washington University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1130 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1130, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1020, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Western Washington 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 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 1235, you have around a 93% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Western Washington University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >96%
1235 to 1340 Avg + 93%-96%
1130 to 1235 Avg - 87%-93%
1025 to 1130 Reach 79%-87%
Less than 1025 Low <79%
Calculate My Chances 

Western Washington University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

25-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for Western Washington University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Scores for Western Washington University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Western Washington University is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 25 and 30.  The school ranks #8 in Washington for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 25 and score in the score in the top 22 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 22.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Western Washington University.

Score Submission Requirements

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

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 Western Washington University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 93% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 30 ACT score.

Western Washington University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >97%
27 to 30 Avg + 93%-97%
25 to 27 Avg - 89%-93%
23 to 25 Reach 83%-89%
Less than 23 Low <83%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Western Washington University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 7,174 4,630 11,864
Accepted 6,702 4,239 10,997
Acceptance Rate 93% 92% 93%
Enrolled 1,862 1,329 3,223
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 31% 29%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 31, 2025

Days left to Apply

90

Applicants have 90 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 31, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Western Washington University is $65.

Application Requirements

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

Western Washington University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Western Washington 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 3.46 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1240 and ACT of 27 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Western Washington University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237011 IPEDS survey data for Western Washington University.

Last updated February 24, 2024