At a glance
Average net price
$21,193
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
64.6%
Admission rate
93%
Undergrad size
13,544
In-state tuition
$9,582
Out-of-state tuition
$28,707
Cost of attendance
$30,359
Median earnings (10y)
$62,569
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,289
- ACT midpoint
- 26
- Retention
- 79.4%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by humanities & arts (31%), social sciences (29%), stem (23%).
- STEM23%
- Health4%
- Business10%
- Humanities & arts31%
- Social sciences29%
- Trades & services2%
- Social sciences10.6%~1,438 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Business10.5%~1,417 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- ~1,329 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology8.0%~1,078 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Education7.0%~951 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English6.0%~814 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~761 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~757 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~726 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communication4.6%~624 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science4.5%~607 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~599 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~462 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~325 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~313 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering2.2%~303 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History2.2%~299 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~286 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics1.4%~184 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~114 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~110 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.3%~43 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 460 | $27,918 | $19,449 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 416 | $25,380 | $20,854 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 279 | $69,837 | $19,333 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 251 | $22,536 | $18,064 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 232 | $22,773 | $19,500 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 231 | $40,450 | $17,498 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 223 | $26,202 | $20,087 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 215 | $42,166 | $17,375 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor's | 203 | $49,253 | $29,284 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor's | 189 | $33,003 | $20,041 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 180 | $29,100 | $19,431 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 167 | $32,487 | $17,875 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 159 | $24,557 | $17,860 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 144 | $22,884 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 140 | $46,458 | $26,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Bachelor's | 140 | $26,408 | $17,854 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 133 | $24,490 | $21,246 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 132 | $58,208 | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | Bachelor's | 125 | $28,664 | $24,055 |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 122 | $38,176 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 120 | $46,243 | $20,567 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 118 | $50,090 | $22,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 117 | $39,818 | $20,000 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 116 | $34,510 | $18,075 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 112 | $27,803 | $22,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 110 | $22,308 | $17,003 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor's | 94 | $27,288 | $19,121 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor's | 93 | $34,569 | $26,158 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 89 | $27,543 | $20,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 89 | $41,065 | $20,610 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor's | 89 | $52,624 | $22,333 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | Bachelor's | 86 | $26,359 | $17,897 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 86 | $34,788 | $22,104 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 85 | $60,314 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 84 | $27,634 | $19,487 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. | Bachelor's | 81 | $33,140 | $19,500 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Bachelor's | 80 | $24,576 | $19,899 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor's | 78 | — | $22,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 77 | $26,203 | $17,500 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 72 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Western Washington University
Western Washington University is a large institution located in Bellingham, Washington, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 13,544 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Social sciences, Business, Interdisciplinary.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Western Washington University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $21,193 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $9,582 for in-state students and $28,707 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $30,359 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 64.6%, a above-average completion outcome. 79.4% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $62,569 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Western Washington University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Social sciences, Business, Interdisciplinary. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by humanities & arts (31% of credentials), social sciences (29% of credentials), stem (23% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Western Washington University accepts 93% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,289. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 26.
Location & campus
Set in Bellingham, Washington (city), Western Washington University draws students from across Washington and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Western Washington University
Q.How much does Western Washington University cost?
The average net price at Western Washington University is $21,193 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $30,359.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Western Washington University?
Western Washington University has a 6-year graduation rate of 64.6% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Western Washington University?
Western Washington University admits 93% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Western Washington University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Western Washington University graduate earns $62,569 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Western Washington University?
Published tuition is $9,582 in-state and $28,707 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Western Washington University located?
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington (ZIP 98225).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Western Washington University at their official website.