What is the acceptance rate at Western Washington University?

Western Washington University's acceptance rate is approximately 93% (Bellingham, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Western Washington University?

Admitted students at Western Washington University typically score 1150–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Western Washington University cost?

At Western Washington University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,193 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Western Washington University?

Western Washington University enrolls approximately 13,544 undergraduate students.

Where is Western Washington University located?

Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA.

Western Washington University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Western Washington University

Bellingham, WApublicwwu.edu/

Acceptance

93%

SAT 25–75

1150–1390

Avg net price

$21,193

Earnings (10 yr)

$62,569

Graduation rate

65%

Admit rate has ranged 90%–96% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Western Washington University is a public liberal arts university in Bellingham, WA, known for its strong environmental science programs, laid-back Pacific Northwest vibe, and high acceptance rate (93%). With 200+ academic programs, a focus on hands-on learning, and a stunning location between the Salish Sea and the North Cascades, WWU attracts outdoorsy, socially conscious students who want a mid-sized university experience without cutthroat competition.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 13,544
In-state tuition: $9,582
Out-of-state tuition: $28,707
Housing: 30% on-campus
Acceptance Rate: 93.2%
Application Fee: $70
Notable Programs: Environmental Science, CS, English
Application Deadline: January 31
6-Year Graduation Rate: 66%
Median Earnings (6 years out): $45,272

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $62,569
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.0×
Median debt at graduation: $18,500
Graduation rate: 65%
First-year retention: 79%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 74%
Pell (lower-income) share: 53%
First-generation share: 27%
Endowment / student: $9,302

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Computer and Information Sciences, General$81,333
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$76,460
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$60,325
Management Information Systems and Services$57,318
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians$50,465
Accounting and Related Services

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 7
Per 1,000 students: 0.52

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 107
Summer high: 69°F
Winter low: 34°F
Annual rain: 54.4"
Annual snow: 28.6"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 252
Scholarly works: 12,825

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.1%
Bottom → top quintile: 33%
From bottom quintile: 3%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Western Washington University?: Western Washington University's acceptance rate is approximately 93% (Bellingham, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Western Washington University?: Admitted students at Western Washington University typically score 1150–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Western Washington University cost?: At Western Washington University, the average net price (after aid) is about $21,193 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Western Washington University?: Western Washington University enrolls approximately 13,544 undergraduate students.
Where is Western Washington University located?: Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, WA.

Admissions

WWU is one of the least selective public universities in the Pacific Northwest, with a 93.2% ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/western-washington-university/admissions), [PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Western-Washington-University-sat-scores-GPA)). The middle 50% of admitted students have SAT scores between 1130-1320 and ACT scores between 22-30 ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/western-washington-university/admissions), [MeetYourClass](https://www.meetyourclass.com/wwu)). Applications are due January 31, with a $70 fee ([MeetYourClass](https://www.meetyourclass.com/wwu)). About 33% of admitted students enroll ([Parchment](https://www.parchment.com/c/college/college-1693-Western-Washington-University.html)).

bigfuture.collegeboard.org prepscholar.com meetyourclass.com parchment.com

Academics

WWU offers 200+ academic programs ([WWU Majors](https://www.wwu.edu/majors)), with particularly strong reputations in:

Environmental science ("also on the strong side" per [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WWU/comments/ff0nco/what_programs_is_wwu_known_for/))
Computer science ("strong and crowded" [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WWU/comments/ff0nco/what_programs_is_wwu_known_for/))

Compare Western Washington University

vs University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus vs University at Albany vs Oklahoma vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Western Washington University

Admission requirements

Outcomes & value

Top-earning majors

Campus safety

Climate

Research output

Economic mobility

Quick answers

Admissions

Academics

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