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Willamette University

Salem, OR·Private·www.willamette.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek LifePhD Programs

Willamette University is a small private nonprofit university in Salem, OR. Approximately 1,592 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 48 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 32/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

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At a Glance

Willamette University is a small private nonprofit university in Salem, OR. Approximately 1,592 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 77% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 48 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 32/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

77%
Acceptance Rate
3,832 applications
31
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 28–33
$51,156
2024-25 Tuition
$25,121
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$16,270
Room & Board
19 meals/week
1,592
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
14%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
71%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity77% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

640690730

SAT Math

600670710

Campus Lifestyle

Willamette University is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 48 miles from Lincoln City, OR and 66 miles from Mt. Hood Skibowl.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Northwest

Greek Life

Moderate Greek Life

9% frats · 12% sororities

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

48 miles

Lincoln City, OR

Ski Access

66 miles

Mt. Hood Skibowl

Weather

Warm Climate

50°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Willamette University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Hood Skibowl, 66 miles away with 10 lifts and 960 skiable acres. All are within 70 miles of campus.

66 mi away
960 skiable acres10 lifts
68 mi away
1,415 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at Willamette University are 48 miles from Lincoln City, OR.

Lincoln City, OR

Ocean access within 48.0 miles

48 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Salem, OR

Salem has a cool climate, with winters averaging 41°F in Dec and summers peaking around 69°F in Jul.

42°Jan44°Feb48°Mar51°Apr58°May63°Jun69°Jul69°Aug64°Sep54°Oct46°Nov41°Dec

Station: SALEM AIRPORT MCNARY FIELD · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

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

Willamette University in OR earns a composite safety score of 32/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

32/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety342637
34/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
26/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
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

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$51,156
Fees
$734
Room & Board
$16,270
Total
$68,160
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$25,121avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

50 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

LawProfessional
97 grads/yr$100,524
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
93 grads/yr$101,544
EconomicsBachelor's
49 grads/yr$63,255
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
35 grads/yr$63,407
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
31 grads/yr$45,197

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

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's93 grads$101,544
Computer Science
Bachelor's5 grads$100,650
Law
Professional97 grads$100,524
Physics
Bachelor's10 grads$89,506
Chemistry
Bachelor's13 grads$79,592
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's22 grads$70,412
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's35 grads$63,407
Economics
Bachelor's49 grads$63,255
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's29 grads$59,337
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Bachelor's18 grads$54,657

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 Willamette University located?

Willamette University is located in Salem, OR. The main campus address is 900 State St, Salem, OR. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Willamette University?

Willamette University has an acceptance rate of 77%, making it accessible. Out of 3,832 applicants, 2,954 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,592 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Willamette University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Willamette University scored between 28 and 33 on the ACT, with a median of 31. About 9% 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 Willamette University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Willamette University charges $51,156/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,270/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $44,234/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,121/year — what students actually pay. Use Willamette University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Willamette University have college sports?

Yes — Willamette University competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Northwest. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Willamette University the right fit for me?

Whether Willamette University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (77% admit rate), avg net price ($25,121/year after aid), campus culture in Salem, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Willamette University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Willamette University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Salem, OR
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Northwest
School Year Weather
Warm · 50°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
32/100
Nearest Airport
Salem, OR (SLE) · 2 mialso CVO (33 mi), HIO (42 mi)

Location

Salem, OR

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.