Willamette University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $57,900 within 10 years; generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Willamette University is a private nonprofit institution located in Salem, Oregon with approximately 1,592 undergraduate students enrolled. Willamette University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 77%. The average net price after financial aid is $25,121 per year. The graduation rate is 71%, and the typical graduate earns $57,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
Willamette University is a private liberal arts college in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest college in the Western United States. Originally named the Oregon Institute, the school was an unaffiliated outgrowth of the Methodist Mission. The name was changed to Wallamet University in 1852, followed by the current spelling in 1870. Willamette founded the first medical school and law school in the Pacific Northwest in the second half of the 19th century.
Founded in 1842 as the oldest college in the Western U.S., this small Salem liberal arts school offers a genuinely intimate experience with only 1,525 undergrads and a reasonable median debt of $18,913 at graduation. The 73% graduation rate is a mild concern — roughly 1 in 4 students don't finish — though an 86% freshman retention rate suggests most students who make it past year one do stick around. Worth considering if you want a tight-knit Pacific Northwest campus with manageable costs, but visit and ask hard questions about student support, since the graduation numbers suggest not everyone thrives here.
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: 8% 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 (1,592 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Oregon
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University of Oregon
Eugene, OR · Public
Portland Community College
Portland, OR · Public
Portland State University
Portland, OR · Public
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR · Public
Lane Community College
Eugene, OR · 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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