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Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university located in Bellingham, Washington. Founded in 1893, WWU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. With a focus on providing a rigorous academic experience and fostering critical thinking, WWU is known for its commitment to excellence in education and research.
The campus of Western Washington University is spread over 215 acres and offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and the Bellingham Bay. The university has seven colleges, including the College of Business and Economics, College of Fine and Performing Arts, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. These colleges offer over 160 academic programs, ranging from business administration and computer science to art, music, and psychology.
WWU emphasizes hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging students to engage in research, internships, and community service. The university is widely recognized for its programs in environmental science, education, and visual arts. With a diverse student body and a vibrant campus life, WWU offers various recreational activities, clubs, and organizations that cater to students' interests and passions. Students at Western Washington University get the chance to receive a well-rounded education while also enjoying the natural beauty and thriving community of Bellingham.
Western Washington University is a public university located in Bellingham, WA and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at Western Washington University is 79% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 31. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 1.
To find out more about what Western Washington University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
13,689
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
91%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. What are the admission requirements for Western Washington University?
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 12,978 in 2024. Western Washington University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 9% and ACT scores 3%. 14% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 45% between 1,200 and 1,399, 31% between 1,000 and 1,199, 9% of the students between 800 and 999, and 1% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 24, 47 between 24-29, 26 in the range between 18-23, and 2 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.5. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Western Washington University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 640 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 601.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 31. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is March 1.
91%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Western Washington University was 79% in 2024, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect choice for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Western Washington University in 2024 was 14,637.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 13% for that year. There was a total of 13,689 undergraduate students, including 109 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 890.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,389 male and 7,606 female full-time students in 2024. There were 270 full-time graduate male and 444 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 787 Asian students and 269 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,491 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,236 as multirace. The school also had 29 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 49 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 185 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Western Washington University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $7,488, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $26,613 for students coming from a different state. Tuition costs at Western Washington University for international students amounted to $26,613. Full-time students in 2024 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,079.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,613 | $2,079 | $28,692 |
| In-State | $7,488 | $2,079 | $9,567 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. The approximate cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,224.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2024, the price of room and board at Western Washington University was $15,747 per academic year.
| Tuition | $ 7,488 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,747 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,224 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,459 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid available at Western Washington University.
According to the most recent data, 1,491 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $22,010.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 4,883 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 5,416. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $15,596,441, and state $24,290,299. The students of Western Washington University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $5,991,992, and external in the amount of $1,634,428.
$2,167
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
252 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. 131 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $15,596,441 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $29,538. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,037,525. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,609,778 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Western Washington University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,007. This number included 462 men and 513 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Western Washington University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Western Washington University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Western Washington University.
Its campus is 220 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 194 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Ethnic Student Center, followed by Outdoor Center and Associated Students. Other popular organizations among the students at Western Washington University are Residence Hall Association and Intramurals.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Western Washington University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Western Washington University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Western Washington University.
All in all, campus life at Western Washington University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Western Washington University.
Career Counselling
At Western Washington University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Western Washington University is 91%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Western Washington University is 79%.
Contact Information
Western Washington University,
516 High Street
Bellingham, WA
98225-5996
360 650-3000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.