Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington
PublicBachelor's to graduateFounded 1893Small citySEVP certified
About
Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It was established in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private teachers' school founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977. WWU offers bachelor's, master's and select doctoral degrees. In fall 2024, there were 14,710 students, including 13,752 undergraduates, and 683 full-time faculty. The university is classified as a research university in the Carnegie Classification. Its athletic teams are known as the Vikings, and compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The main campus sits on 215 acres in Bellingham.
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Cost per year
- Tuition and fees (out of state)
- US$29,091
- Estimated total for international students
- US$49,589
- Tuition and fees (in state, for comparison)
- US$9,924
- Total cost for in-state students
- US$30,422
International students at public universities pay the out-of-state rate. The estimated total adds housing, food and books to that tuition; it is derived from Scorecard figures, so check the university's own cost page.
Students
- Undergraduates
- 13,544
- Graduate students
- 958
- International undergraduates
- 1%
- Students per teacher
- 18 to 1
Admissions
- Admission rate
- 93%
- SAT
- Reading and writing 590–710 · Maths 560–680
- ACT
- 24–31
Test scores show the middle 50% of admitted students.
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 61%
- Median earnings 10 years after starting
- US$64,305
Earnings are for students who received US federal aid, so they may not reflect international graduates.
Programmes (158)
Bachelor's degrees97 subjects
Accounting and Computer ScienceAccounting and Related ServicesAnthropologyApplied MathematicsArcheologyArea StudiesBilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural EducationBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiological and Biomedical Sciences, OtherBiological and Physical SciencesBiology, GeneralBotany/Plant BiologyBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherBusiness/Commerce, GeneralCell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesChemistryCity/Urban, Community, and Regional PlanningClassics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCommunication and Media StudiesCommunity Organization and AdvocacyComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementCriminologyDanceData ScienceDesign and Applied ArtsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEast Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyEconomicsElectrical and Computer EngineeringElectrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringElectrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/TechniciansEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralEnvironmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicyEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesFamily and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralFilm/Video and Photographic ArtsFinance and Financial Management ServicesFine and Studio ArtsForeign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, OtherGeography and CartographyGeography and Environmental StudiesGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesGermanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsHealth/Medical Preparatory ProgramsHistoryHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesHuman Resources Management and ServicesHuman Services, GeneralIndustrial Production Technologies/TechniciansInternational BusinessJournalismLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesManagement Information Systems and ServicesManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsManufacturing EngineeringMarine SciencesMarketingMathematicsMathematics and Computer ScienceMechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMulti-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchNeurobiology and NeurosciencesParks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesPhilosophyPhysicsPolitical Science and GovernmentPolymer/Plastics EngineeringPsychology, GeneralPublic HealthPublic Policy AnalysisRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingReligion/Religious StudiesResearch and Experimental PsychologyRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesRomance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSlavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSocial Sciences, GeneralSocial Sciences, OtherSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStatisticsSustainability StudiesTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasUrban Studies/AffairsVisual and Performing Arts, GeneralZoology/Animal Biology
Master's degrees35 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAnthropologyBiological and Physical SciencesBiology, GeneralBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness/Commerce, GeneralChemistryClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralCurriculum and InstructionDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEducational Administration and SupervisionElectrical and Computer EngineeringEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralGeography and CartographyGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesHistoryMathematicsMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsResearch and Experimental PsychologyRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasVisual and Performing Arts, General
Doctoral degrees2 subjects
Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesEducational Administration and Supervision
Professional degrees (MD, JD and similar)1 subject
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Undergraduate certificates13 subjects
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementDesign and Applied ArtsEntrepreneurial and Small Business OperationsEnvironmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicyGeography and CartographyHistoric Preservation and ConservationNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchNatural Resources and Conservation, OtherOutdoor EducationSustainability StudiesTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign LanguageWildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Post-baccalaureate certificates3 subjects
Data ScienceEducational/Instructional Media DesignGeography and Cartography
Graduate certificates7 subjects
Data ScienceEducational Administration and SupervisionEducational/Instructional Media DesignEnvironmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicyGeography and CartographyHistoric Preservation and ConservationMechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Subjects and degree levels reported to the US Department of Education. See the university's course catalogue for course-by-course details.