Western Washington University (WWU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Western Washington University
Perched above Bellingham Bay, the university is known for hands-on learning and a campus dotted with outdoor sculpture. Students explore the sciences, environmental fields, business, engineering and design, education, and the arts and humanities alongside faculty who pay attention. You'll find modern labs and studios, quiet libraries, and practical maker spaces, with advising, tutoring, and health and counseling pretty easy to reach.
Life here leans active and down-to-earth. Clubs spill into the outdoors, with trails, bay water, and nearby snow pulling hikers, paddlers, and skiers on the same weekend. The student center hums, rec fields stay busy, and game days carry Viking pride. Career prep shows up in internships and research plus regional ties to companies, schools, and nonprofits. Downtown adds coffee, music, and markets, giving students a real community and plenty of chances to pitch in.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Western Washington University (WWU) offers 115 degree programs across 21 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,347 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (10 programs, 354 graduates), Social Sciences (9 programs, 351 graduates), Education (23 programs, 315 graduates), Interdisciplinary (8 programs, 259 graduates) and Psychology (3 programs, 247 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (10 programs, 354 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Management | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Business Administration and Management | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Management Information Systems | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| International Business and Trade | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Management Science | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1301 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0205 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 3 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0799 |
Social Sciences (9 programs, 351 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 114 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Economics | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0699 |
| Economics | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Geography | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
45.0701 |
| Archaeology | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0301 |
| Anthropology | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0299 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 4 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.0702 |
Education (23 programs, 315 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Interdisciplinary (8 programs, 259 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 110 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.9999 |
| Sustainability Studies | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
30.3301 |
| Geography and Environmental Studies | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.4401 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0801 |
| Data Science | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.7001 |
| Marine Sciences | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.3201 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.0101 |
| Data Science | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
30.7099 |
Psychology (3 programs, 247 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 234 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2703 |
| Comparative Psychology | 2 |
|
Master's
|
42.2702 |
English (2 programs, 201 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 129 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.1302 |
| English Language and Literature | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.0101 |
Natural Resources (5 programs, 199 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | 118 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
03.0104 |
| Environmental Studies | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
03.0103 |
| Energy and Environmental Policy | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
03.0209 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
03.0101 |
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
03.0204 |
Health (8 programs, 184 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 71 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1199 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0201 |
| Community Health and Preventive Medicine | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2208 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 18 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 14 |
|
Master's
|
51.2310 |
| Registered Nursing | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Audiology | 9 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0202 |
| Mental Health Counseling | 5 |
|
Master's
|
51.1508 |
Biological Sciences (5 programs, 182 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0406 |
| Neuroscience | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1302 |
Arts (11 programs, 173 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Theatre Arts | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0401 |
| Art History and Conservation | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0404 |
| Music | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Dance | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Illustration | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
50.0410 |
| Music Performance | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0903 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0902 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Western Washington University (WWU).
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 Western Washington University (WWU)
How much does it cost to attend Western Washington University (WWU)?
The annual tuition at Western Washington University (WWU) is $9,286 for in-state students and $27,853 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,967 for in-state students and $48,534 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $14,915 and books and supplies $1,176.
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 Western Washington University offer?
Western Washington University (WWU) offers 115 academic programs across 21 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (9 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (23 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (8 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 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 Western Washington University?
Western Washington University (WWU) has an 91.3% acceptance rate and a 24.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 14,243
- Students admitted: 13,005
- Students enrolled: 3,184
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 Western Washington University?
Western Washington University (WWU) provides financial aid to 23% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $7,041 and average loans of $7,171.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $4,848
- State/Local grants: $5,580
- Institutional grants: $3,996
- Federal loans: $4,945
The university supports 2,909 students with grants and 1,040 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 Western Washington University graduates?
Western Washington University (WWU) graduates earn a median salary of $45,272 after 6 years and $62,569 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $39,304 (25th percentile) to $86,564 (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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