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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.
Located in Bellingham, WA and set in an urban environment, Western Washington University is a public university. This academic institution uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 93%. The freshman retention rate at Western Washington University is 79.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 65%.
The freshmen 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
13,752
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
65%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. What are the admission requirements for Western Washington University?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 13,162 in 2025. Western Washington University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers 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 those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 8% and ACT scores 2%. 8% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 47% between 1,200 and 1,399, 36% between 1,000 and 1,199, 7% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 27, 46 between 24-29, 24 in the range between 18-23, and 4 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 26 while the average GPA was 3.43. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 623 and an average SAT Math score of 580.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 31. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Western Washington University was 79.4%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 65%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Western Washington University in 2025 was 14,710.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 13.3% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 13,752, 92 of which were international students. 891 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,447 male and 7,532 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Western Washington University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 793, while the number of Black American students was 265. 1,532 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 1,144 as multirace. The school also had 33 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 74 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 247 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Western Washington University estimated tuition price.
Tuition fees for area resident were $7,488, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $26,613. For international students, tuition fees at this school stood at $26,613, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,084.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,613 | $2,084 | $28,697 |
| In-State | $7,488 | $2,084 | $9,572 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $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 schools?
At Western Washington University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,653. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $11,628, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,488 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,653 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,224 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,365 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Western Washington University.
According to the most recent data, 1,449 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $24,353 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
4,900 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 5,298. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $21,513,507, and state $26,751,038. The students of Western Washington University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $4,977,497, and external in the amount of $1,794,724.
$2,358
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
227 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 106 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $21,513,507 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $33,500. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $1,213,425. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,636,561 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Western Washington University was 18:1. That means that there were 18 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 968 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 454 men and 514 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. Find 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 exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
There are 224 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The most popular student organization is Ethnic Student Center, followed by Outdoor Center and Associated Students. Other popular organizations 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. Interested in 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 that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial 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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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Western Washington University is 93%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Western Washington University is 79.4%.
Contact Information
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.