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Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA·Public·wwu.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownPhD Programs

Western Washington University is a mid-size public university in Bellingham, WA. Approximately 13,544 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 38 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Western Washington University is a mid-size public university in Bellingham, WA. Approximately 13,544 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 38 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

93%
Acceptance Rate
14,115 applications
28
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 24–31
$7,572
In-State Tuition
+$1,131 fees
$24,799
Out-of-State Tuition
+$1,131 fees
$15,629
Room & Board
21 meals/week
13,544
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
23%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
65%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity93% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

590660710

SAT Math

560620680

Campus Lifestyle

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

101 miles

Neah Bay, WA

Ski Access

38 miles

Mt. Baker Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

48°F avg school-year

Ski Town

38 mi away
1,000 skiable acres10 lifts
Mt Seymour

British Columbia

46 mi away
200 skiable acres5 lifts
Sasquatch Mountain Resort

British Columbia

51 mi away
300 skiable acres4 lifts

Nearest Beach

Neah Bay, WA

Ocean access within 101.2 miles

101 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Bellingham, WA

41°Jan42°Feb46°Mar51°Apr56°May60°Jun64°Jul64°Aug59°Sep52°Oct46°Nov41°Dec

Station: BELLINGHAM 3 SSW · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

43/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety434539
43/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
45/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$7,572$24,799
Fees
$1,131$1,131
Room & Board
$15,629$15,629
Total
$24,332$41,559
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $70
Meal Plan: 21 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

151 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
240 grads/yr$53,224
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchBachelor's
207 grads/yr$53,781
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBachelor's
128 grads/yr$110,138
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherBachelor's
128 grads/yr$43,919
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesBachelor's
115 grads/yr$38,460

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's18 grads$129,722
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's128 grads$110,138
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Bachelor's grads$107,131
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's29 grads$97,723
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's21 grads$96,695
Polymer/Plastics Engineering
Bachelor's21 grads$92,439
Manufacturing Engineering
Bachelor's25 grads$85,314
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's54 grads$82,246
Management Information Systems and Services
Bachelor's41 grads$81,678
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Master's17 grads$80,873

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Western Washington University located?

Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA. The main campus address is 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Western Washington University?

Western Washington University has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it accessible. Out of 14,115 applicants, 13,162 were admitted in the most recent year. 13,544 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Western Washington University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Western Washington University scored between 24 and 31 on the ACT, with a median of 28. About 2% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Western Washington University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Western Washington University charges $7,572/year for in-state students and $24,799/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($15,629/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $41,559/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Western Washington University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Western Washington University?

The undergraduate application fee at Western Washington University is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is Western Washington University the right fit for me?

Whether Western Washington University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (93% admit rate), cost ($24,799/year out-of-state), campus culture in Bellingham, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Western Washington University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Western Washington University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Bellingham, WA
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
School Year Weather
Warm · 48°F avg
App Fee
$70
On Campus Safety Score
43/100
Nearest Airport
Bellingham, WA (BLI) · 5 mialso ESD (19 mi), NUW (28 mi)

Location

Bellingham, WA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.