Washington State University (WSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Washington State University
Set in the rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington State University is known for hands-on learning across agriculture, engineering, business, health, and communication. Labs and studios sit near quiet libraries and an active rec center, with advising, tutoring, counseling, and cultural centers woven into daily life. And the culture feels open and proud; you'll hear Go Cougs on the walk to class and feel it on game days.
Students jump into research and internships early, backed by a loyal alumni network and steady employer visits. Pullman's close-knit town adds coffeehouse study nooks, trails, and quick outdoor escapes. A few signatures stand out, like the campus creamery's Cougar Gold cheese and long-held traditions that bring people together. Notable alumni include Edward R. Murrow, Klay Thompson, and Drew Bledsoe. It's friendly in a way that's hard to fake.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Washington State University (WSU) offers 155 degree programs across 27 major academic fields, graduating approximately 8,192 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (11 programs, 1,994 graduates), Health (13 programs, 728 graduates), Social Sciences (6 programs, 663 graduates), Engineering (12 programs, 643 graduates) and Biological Sciences (15 programs, 633 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (11 programs, 1,994 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 640 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 316 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 315 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0801 |
| Accounting | 205 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0301 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 188 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0205 |
| Hospitality Management | 155 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0901 |
| International Business and Trade | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1101 |
| Sales Skills and Operations | 56 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1804 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
| Marketing Research | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1402 |
| Management Science | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1301 |
Health (13 programs, 728 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 346 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3801 |
| Pharmacy | 103 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Medicine | 67 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Healthcare Innovation | 49 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0722 |
| Nursing Administration | 43 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3802 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0204 |
| Athletic Training | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Bioethics and Medical Ethics | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
|
51.3201 |
| Health Administration and Management | 7 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0701 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2010 |
| Nursing Education | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.3203 |
| Nursing Science | 7 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3808 |
| Public Health | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2299 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 663 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 228 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Criminology | 169 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0401 |
| Political Science and Government | 89 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 73 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| Sociology | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
Engineering (12 programs, 643 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 259 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 115 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Civil Engineering | 104 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Chemical Engineering | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Software Engineering | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0903 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0501 |
| Computer Engineering | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0901 |
| Materials Engineering | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1801 |
| Agricultural Engineering | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0301 |
| Engineering Science | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1301 |
| General Engineering | 1 |
|
Master's
|
14.0101 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 1 |
|
Master's
|
14.1401 |
Biological Sciences (15 programs, 633 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 245 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 165 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0908 |
| Neuroscience | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
| Zoology and Animal Biology | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0701 |
| Biochemistry | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Genetics | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0801 |
| Microbiology | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0502 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0210 |
| Plant Pathology | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0305 |
| Entomology | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0702 |
| Plant Molecular Biology | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0308 |
| Biomathematics and Computational Biology | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
26.1199 |
| Bioinformatics | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
26.1103 |
| Molecular Biology | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
26.0204 |
| Botany and Plant Biology | 3 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0301 |
Education (15 programs, 565 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Level Teacher Education | 251 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1206 |
| Elementary Education | 209 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 27 |
|
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 16 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Instructional Technology | 12 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0501 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1301 |
| Educational Evaluation and Research | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0601 |
| Educational Research and Statistics | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0603 |
| Special Education Teaching | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1001 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
13.1401 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0404 |
| Foundations of Education | 3 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0901 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1311 |
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
13.0201 |
Psychology (1 programs, 545 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 545 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
Communication (11 programs, 485 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 164 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
09.0702 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 89 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
| Public Relations and Advertising | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0900 |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 50 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
09.0102 |
| Advertising | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0903 |
| Journalism | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0402 |
| Health Communication | 7 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
09.0905 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0101 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communication | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0909 |
| Technical and Scientific Communication | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0908 |
Agriculture (16 programs, 350 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine | 133 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
01.8001 |
| Animal Sciences | 93 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.0901 |
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.1102 |
| Veterinary Infectious Diseases | 18 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.8106 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0301 |
| Food Science | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.1001 |
| Horticultural Science | 10 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
01.1103 |
| Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
01.0308 |
| Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
01.8199 |
| Agribusiness Operations | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0102 |
| Viticulture and Enology | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.1004 |
| Plant Breeding | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.1104 |
| Agricultural and Food Processing | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0401 |
| Plant Nursery Operations and Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0606 |
| Turf and Turfgrass Management | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0607 |
| Soil Science and Agronomy | 1 |
|
Master's
|
01.1201 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 322 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 207 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
11.0701 |
| Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management | 110 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.1099 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Washington State University (WSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Washington State University (WSU)
How much does it cost to attend Washington State University (WSU)?
The annual tuition at Washington State University (WSU) is $12,997 for in-state students and $29,073 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $30,532 for in-state students and $46,608 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,131 and books and supplies $762.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Washington State University offer?
Washington State University (WSU) offers 155 academic programs across 27 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (13 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (12 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (15 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Washington State University?
Washington State University (WSU) has an 85.4% acceptance rate and a 19% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 26,166
- Students admitted: 22,335
- Students enrolled: 4,249
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Washington State University?
Washington State University (WSU) provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $10,370 and average loans of $7,247.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,249
- State/Local grants: $8,288
- Institutional grants: $5,471
- Federal loans: $5,005
The university supports 3,400 students with grants and 1,248 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Washington State University graduates?
Washington State University (WSU) graduates earn a median salary of $53,510 after 6 years and $68,905 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $43,186 (25th percentile) to $97,582 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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