# Western Washington University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-washington-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Bellingham, WA
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Far West
- **Enrollment:** 13,544
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

With an enrollment of over 13,500 students and a high acceptance rate of 93%, Western Washington University is a welcoming place for those eager to learn and grow. It attracts a diverse student body, especially those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, and English & Literature. This wide range of programs means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re drawn to understanding human behavior or diving into the world of commerce.

Looking ahead, graduates can expect to earn an average of $62,569 within ten years of completing their degree. This is a solid figure that suggests a good return on investment, especially when you consider the affordability of the education here. With a net price of $21,193 after aid, students can navigate their financial futures more easily. While 21% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some economic diversity, many find ways to succeed and advance their careers post-graduation.

When it comes to the financial bottom line, the median debt sits at $18,500, which is manageable for many graduates. This balance between cost and future earnings helps students thrive after they leave campus. Those who tend to excel here are often motivated and engaged, ready to take advantage of the supportive community and the resources available to them. It’s about setting yourself up for a fulfilling life, both during and after your time at Western Washington University.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 93% |
| SAT Average | 1289 |
| ACT Midpoint | 26 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $9,582 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,707 |
| Average Net Price | $21,193 |
| Median Debt | $18,500 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 21% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 29% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $12,915 |
| $30K-$48K | $14,147 |
| $48K-$75K | $17,539 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $27,984 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 65% |
| Retention Rate | 79% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $45,272 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $53,473 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $62,569 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.3x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 112.92% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 3345.9% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 337.5% |
| Parent Median Income | $108,100 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.74 |
| Friending Bias | -0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 12.0% |
| Support Ratio | 0.98 |

## Innovation (Opportunity Insights Patent Data)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Inventor Rate | 0.673% |
| Total Patents | 218 |
| Total Citations | 454 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Social Sciences | 11% |
| Business & Marketing | 10% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Education | 7% |
| English & Literature | 6% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 6% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 5% |
| Communications | 5% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 23 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #2 in [Best Education Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-education-washington)
- #3 in [Best Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-washington)
- #3 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-washington)
- #3 in [Best Master's Programs in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-washington)
- #3 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-washington)
- #3 in [Best Communications Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-washington)
- #4 in [Best MBA Programs in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-washington)
- #6 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-washington)
- #6 in [Best Business Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-washington)
- #6 in [Best Biology Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-washington)
- #6 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-washington)
- #13 in [Best Nursing Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-washington)
- #20 in [Best Colleges in Far West](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-far-west)
- #20 in [Best Colleges in Pacific Northwest](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-pacific-northwest)
- #39 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-english)
- #42 in [Best Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-english)
- #42 in [Best Bachelor's in English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-english)
- #42 in [Best Master's in English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-english)
- #42 in [Best ROI Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-education)
- #42 in [Best ROI Colleges for English](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-english)
- #43 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-washington)
- #43 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Education](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-education)
- #44 in [Best Colleges for Low-Income Inventors](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/innovation-for-low-income)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Western Washington University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-washington-university