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Western Washington University
Admission at Western Washington University is close to open (93.3%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $62,569 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Western Washington University sits in Bellingham proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $110,138 four years out. 20.9% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 13,544 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 79.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1110 and 1350 — near the WA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Western Washington University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Western Washington University received 14,243 applications and admitted 13,005 (91.3%), with 3,184 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 1110–1350 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Western Washington University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 570 | 640 | 690 |
| SAT Math | 540 | 590 | 660 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 26 | 29 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Western Washington University compares
| Western Washington University | Washington median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 93.3% | 83.2% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $9,582 | $19,614 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $62,569 | $62,092 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Western Washington University: $62,569 median at year ten, versus $62,092 across Washington institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $9,582 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $28,707. For non-residents, Western Washington University's $28,707 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 13,544 undergrads, Western Washington University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
64.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 35% don't — ask a Western Washington University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Western Washington University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $110,138 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $107,131 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $96,695 |
| Polymer/Plastics Engineering | $92,439 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $85,314 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,246 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $81,678 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $77,048 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,730 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $71,886 |
| Sustainability Studies | $70,793 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $69,715 |
| Marketing | $69,323 |
| Applied Mathematics | $68,359 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $67,208 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $65,380 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $64,780 |
| Economics | $64,123 |
| International Business | $63,923 |
| Physics | $63,833 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $63,072 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $62,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $61,802 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $58,622 |
| Journalism | $57,697 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,415 |
| Chemistry | $55,793 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $54,290 |
| Sociology | $54,263 |
| Mathematics | $54,234 |
| Human Services, General | $53,788 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $53,781 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $53,428 |
| Psychology, General | $53,224 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $51,508 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $50,832 |
| Anthropology | $50,703 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,079 |
| Biology, General | $50,027 |
| Political Science and Government | $49,640 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,571 |
| History | $46,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $44,615 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,919 |
| Area Studies | $40,623 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $40,616 |
| Music | $38,858 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $38,460 |
| Archeology | $38,243 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,163 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,161 |
Median earnings for these 51 Western Washington University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $62,569 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 46 additional Western Washington University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Western Washington University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1110–1350 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 93.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Western Washington University's acceptance rate?
91.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 13,005 admitted from 14,243 applicants.
How much does Western Washington University cost?
In-state tuition is $9,582; out-of-state students pay $28,707. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Western Washington University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $62,569 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Washington
- Whitworth University — 89.8% admitted
- Washington State University — 86.6% admitted
- Saint Martin's University — 89.8% admitted
- The Evergreen State College — 96.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.