Western Washington University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Washington residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 13,544 students.
About This School
Western Washington University is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington with approximately 13,544 undergraduate students enrolled. Western Washington University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 93%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,193 per year. The graduation rate is 65%, and the typical graduate earns $50,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Western Washington University is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. The northernmost university in the contiguous United States, WWU was founded in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private school of teaching for women founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 91% acceptance rate and $13,500 median debt at graduation make this an accessible, relatively low-risk choice financially, but a 66% graduation rate and 80% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful share of students don't finish — worth asking why. For in-state students drawn to the Pacific Northwest who want a mid-sized public university with manageable costs, this can be a solid fit, especially given the $50,600 median earnings hold up reasonably well against that debt load. Just go in with a plan — students who thrive here tend to be self-directed about staying on track to graduate.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,544 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Washington
University of Washington
Seattle, WA · Public
Washington State University
Pullman, WA · Public
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA · Public
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA · Public
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA · Public
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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