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Willamette University
Willamette University says yes to 77.1% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $56,911 median earnings.
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Willamette University sits in Salem proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $100,650 four years out. 23.5% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 1,592 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 86.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1220 and 1430 — above the OR middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Willamette University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Willamette University received 4,107 applications and admitted 3,249 (79.1%), with 504 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 1220–1430 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Willamette University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 630 | 680 | 730 |
| SAT Math | 590 | 640 | 700 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 30 | 32 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Willamette University compares
| Willamette University | Oregon median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 77.1% | 88.3% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $51,156 | $22,220 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $56,911 | $57,671 | $53,781 |
At $56,911, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($57,671). Look at Willamette University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $51,156 regardless of where you're from. At Willamette University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Enrollment sits at 1,592 — Willamette University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
71.2% of Willamette University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 16.4 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $51,156 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Willamette University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $100,650 |
| Physics | $89,506 |
| Chemistry | $79,592 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $70,412 |
| Political Science and Government | $63,407 |
| Economics | $63,255 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $59,337 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $54,657 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $50,060 |
| Biology, General | $45,197 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,870 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,256 |
Median earnings for these 12 Willamette University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $56,911 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 28 additional Willamette University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Willamette University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1220–1430 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 77.1% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Willamette University's acceptance rate?
79.1% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,249 admitted from 4,107 applicants.
How much does Willamette University cost?
At Willamette University, published tuition is $51,156 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Willamette University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Willamette University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $56,911 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Oregon
- Warner Pacific University — 71.1% admitted
- Pacific Northwest College of Art — 74.9% admitted
- Oregon State University — 77.3% admitted
- Bushnell University — 67.3% 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.