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Salem , OR
Located in Salem, Oregon, Willamette University is a private liberal arts college with a strong reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to community engagement. Established in 1842, it is the oldest university in the western United States. Guided by its motto "Not unto ourselves alone are we born," Willamette University values intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and ethical leadership.
At Willamette University, students can choose from a wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The university's College of Liberal Arts provides a rigorous education that fosters interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore diverse perspectives. Additionally, Willamette offers professional programs in law and management, adding depth to its academic offerings. The university boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship from expert faculty members.
Beyond the classroom, Willamette University is known for its vibrant campus life. The university offers numerous student organizations, including clubs, societies, and Greek life, allowing students to pursue their interests and develop leadership skills. The campus is also a hub for cultural events, art exhibitions, and performances, creating a dynamic environment that enriches the student experience. Moreover, Willamette's location in the heart of the breathtaking Pacific Northwest provides endless opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and exploring the region's natural beauty. Overall, Willamette University offers a rich academic and social environment that fosters personal growth and prepares students for a successful future.
Willamette University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Salem, OR and set in an urban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at Willamette University is 87% and the six-year graduation rate is 71%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is July 14.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about Willamette University.
Quick Facts
1,683
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$53,940
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
71%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Check out some essential info about admission at Willamette University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,954 in 2025. Willamette University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides 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 25% and ACT scores 12%. 24% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 61% between 1,200 and 1,399, 11% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 4% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 63, 25 between 24-29 and 12 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 30 and the average GPA was 3.85. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Willamette University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 685 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 640.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is July 14.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. 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.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Willamette University was 87%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 71%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Willamette University in 2025 was 2,201.
That year, the school had 70% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 1,683 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 26 international students. 53 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 861 male and 1,289 female full-time students in 2025. 266 full-time graduate men and 252 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 65 Asian students and 39 Afro-American students in 2025. 241 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 140 identified with more than one race. The school also had 9 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 8 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 37 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $53,940 in 2025. Willamette University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $284 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,252.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Willamette University was $16,880 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $8,710, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $8,710.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 53,940 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,880 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,252 |
| Total Expense | $ 72,072 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Willamette University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 283 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $40,587.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 859 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 901. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $2,986,517, and state $1,117,699. The students of Willamette University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $34,784,997, and external in the amount of $878,740.
$27,150
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements 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.
155 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 81 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $20,291,745. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $115,431 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
12:1
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 Willamette University was 12:1. That means that there were 12 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 253 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 130 men and 123 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at Willamette University.
Its campus is 60 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 83 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 9% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 12 for female students. Other popular student organizations at this school are Sports Clubs and Outdoor Programs.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Willamette University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Willamette University provides a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Willamette University.
All in all, campus life at Willamette University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
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 Willamette University.
Career Counselling
At Willamette 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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Willamette University is located in Salem, OR.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Willamette University is 53,940 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Willamette University is 77%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Willamette University is 87%.
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.