← Back to collegesLocated in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public large school with roughly 13,544 undergraduates. It's not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, admitting about 93% of applicants. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer and Information Sciences, General (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $110,138/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Admit rate93%
SAT range1150–1390
ACT range24–31
Undergrads13,544
Yield (admits who enroll)29%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)
Cost & outcomes
Cost of attendance$30,359
4-year grad rate65%
Median earnings, 10yr out$62,569
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Western Washington University weighs in your application
Paying it back
Undergrads taking federal loans29%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out74%
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies Biological and Biomedical SciencesBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$77,048/yr
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$58,622/yr
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$51,508/yr
Biology, General$50,027/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAccounting and Related Services$82,246/yr
Management Information Systems and Services$81,678/yr
Finance and Financial Management Services$75,730/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$71,886/yr
Marketing$69,323/yr
International Business$63,923/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsJournalism$57,697/yr
Communication and Media Studies$56,415/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesComputer and Information Sciences, General$110,138/yr
EducationSpecial Education and Teaching$64,780/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$63,072/yr
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$62,500/yr
EngineeringElectrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$107,131/yr
Polymer/Plastics Engineering$92,439/yr
Manufacturing Engineering$85,314/yr
English Language and Literature/LettersEnglish Language and Literature, General$46,571/yr
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$38,460/yr
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsRomance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$65,380/yr
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$44,615/yr
Health Professions and Related ProgramsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$96,695/yr
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$61,802/yr
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs$53,428/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$38,163/yr
Mathematics and StatisticsApplied Mathematics$68,359/yr
Mathematics$54,234/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesSustainability Studies$70,793/yr
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General$54,290/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$43,919/yr
Natural Resources and ConservationNatural Resources Conservation and Research$53,781/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness StudiesParks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies$50,832/yr
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$50,079/yr
Physical SciencesGeological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$67,208/yr
Physics$63,833/yr
Chemistry$55,793/yr
PsychologyPsychology, General$53,224/yr
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsHuman Services, General$53,788/yr
Social SciencesEconomics$64,123/yr
Sociology$54,263/yr
Anthropology$50,703/yr
Political Science and Government$49,640/yr
Archeology$38,243/yr
Visual and Performing ArtsDesign and Applied Arts$69,715/yr
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$40,616/yr
Music$38,858/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$35,161/yr
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity4,196
Typical room chargeNot reported
Typical board chargeNot reported
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
GPARequired
Class rankNot considered
RecommendationsConsidered, not required
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Western Washington University's acceptance rate?
Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA admits approximately 93% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Western Washington University?
Admitted students at Western Washington University typically score between 1150–1390 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Western Washington University?
Admitted students at Western Washington University typically score between 24–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Western Washington University cost?
Western Washington University's total cost of attendance is reported at $30,359 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Western Washington University?
Western Washington University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Western Washington University require students to live on campus?
No -- Western Washington University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.