Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Western Washington University is a public regional university located in Bellingham, Washington. Western Washington University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Western Washington University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $54,976 10 years after enrolling, 15th in Washington, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Western Washington University bachelor students earn 0% less than the national average. Western Washington University is ranked 9th in Washington.
Western Washington University’s median net annual cost of $17,070 and average years to graduate of 4.7 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Western Washington University sorted by number of graduates - Natural Resource Conservation, Psychology, Business Administration, Sociology, Computer science, Rhetoric & Composition - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$17,070
Average years to graduate
4.7
Accounting
Rank: #204
Economic score: 2.32
Economics
Rank: #164
Economic score: 3.11
Marketing
Rank: #154
Economic score: 3.19
Special Education
Rank: #19
Economic score: 3.38
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #227
Economic score: 5.15
English Language & Lit
Rank: #148
Economic score: 5.84
Health & Fitness
Rank: #259
Economic score: 7.96
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #373
Economic score: 10.29
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #250
Economic score: 26.32
History
Rank: #386
Economic score: 72.95
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 4 graduate programs at Western Washington University - Education, Business Administration, Communication disorder sciences, Therapeutic professions - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.7 years. 73% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Western Washington University is 15% higher than the state average, and 15% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Western Washington University, Pell Grant recipients represent 22% of the measured graduating class, 13% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Western Washington University graduates within 4.6 years.
Western Washington University is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Western Washington University’s economic mobility score of 15.78 is calculated by adjusting the 2.36 economic score of lower-income students by the 22% pell grant recipients within the student body. Western Washington University’s EMS of 15.78 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Western Washington University pays $17,070 a year, $8,735 less than the $25,805 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $17,070
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Western Washington University, 82% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $17,070 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 30% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,437. This is 24% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,929
Pell grants
$4,416
State grants
$4,716
Institutional grants
$4,115
Western Washington University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 96% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 10,580 applicants, of which 10,167 were admitted and 2,874 enrolled. Western Washington University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
94%
83%
Female
60%
59%
First time
64%
59%
In-state
86%
68%
1st generation
27%
35%
White
69%
52%
Black
2%
14%
Hispanic
11%
15%
Asian
6%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
12%
12%