Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Western Washington University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 30% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 58th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WA wage index 1.18). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Western Washington University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $68,219 | $110,138 | +19% | #80 of 459 | #117 | $18,583 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $77,516 | $107,131 | +6% | #44 of 258 | #151 | $24,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,808 | $96,695 | +9% | #174 of 966 | #454 | $9,369 |
| Polymer/Plastics Engineering | $60,375 | $92,439 | -1% | #2 of 6 | #6 | $19,743 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $65,863 | $85,314 | -4% | #13 of 15 | #14 | $21,323 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,048 | $82,246 | +8% | #227 of 796 | #380 | $20,567 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,668 | $81,678 | -2% | #83 of 166 | #117 | $21,667 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $42,025 | $77,048 | +18% | #21 of 110 | #28 | $20,166 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $51,984 | $75,730 | -9% | #247 of 452 | #360 | $19,084 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $72,675 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,402 | $71,886 | +5% | #318 of 1176 | #581 | $16,666 |
| Sustainability Studies | $41,600 | $70,793 | +22% | #3 of 17 | #4 | $19,086 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31,078 | $69,715 | +35% | #18 of 299 | #45 | $19,833 |
| Marketing | $43,375 | $69,323 | +0% | #200 of 516 | #345 | $17,166 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | $68,359 | -25% | #40 of 45 | #43 | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $36,802 | $67,208 | +12% | #32 of 138 | #58 | $22,969 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $26,557 | $65,380 | +19% | #38 of 225 | #68 | $17,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $52,912 | $64,780 | +28% | #9 of 177 | #25 | $27,000 |
| Economics | $45,401 | $64,123 | -22% | #328 of 368 | #343 | $18,500 |
| International Business | $38,412 | $63,923 | -13% | #93 of 115 | #104 | $20,166 |
| Physics | — | $63,833 | -17% | #101 of 107 | #103 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,795 | $63,072 | +23% | #22 of 345 | #59 | $24,700 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $53,133 | $62,500 | +32% | #14 of 680 | #51 | $20,043 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $19,512 | $61,802 | +5% | #66 of 215 | #158 | $14,334 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $39,225 | $58,622 | -12% | #28 of 35 | #32 | $16,582 |
| Journalism | $34,119 | $57,697 | +3% | #74 of 187 | #116 | $18,151 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,857 | $56,415 | +0% | #260 of 660 | #409 | $17,887 |
| Chemistry | $48,527 | $55,793 | -14% | #184 of 209 | #201 | $20,012 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | $34,119 | $54,290 | +7% | #22 of 63 | #36 | $21,595 |
| Sociology | $33,039 | $54,263 | +3% | #184 of 462 | #292 | $19,207 |
| Mathematics | $22,953 | $54,234 | -22% | #288 of 309 | #300 | $19,781 |
| Human Services | $39,487 | $53,788 | +11% | #18 of 94 | #41 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,899 | $53,781 | -2% | #150 of 265 | #208 | $20,352 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $29,238 | $53,428 | -14% | #38 of 48 | #46 | $17,708 |
| Psychology | $32,306 | $53,224 | +5% | #342 of 1027 | #608 | $18,654 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $39,011 | $51,508 | -18% | #63 of 67 | #66 | $22,000 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $27,558 | $50,832 | +-0% | #29 of 63 | #42 | $17,395 |
| Anthropology | $27,851 | $50,703 | +9% | #59 of 188 | #95 | $21,727 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,268 | $50,079 | -8% | #414 of 610 | #546 | $17,660 |
| Biology | $33,871 | $50,027 | -13% | #686 of 841 | #792 | $16,950 |
| Political Science and Government | $27,217 | $49,640 | -22% | #525 of 565 | #552 | $18,675 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $46,770 | — | — | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | $32,334 | $46,571 | -4% | #360 of 576 | #465 | $16,585 |
| History | $25,355 | $46,000 | -9% | #356 of 459 | #422 | $17,100 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $24,232 | $44,615 | -11% | #64 of 90 | #81 | $19,798 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $23,213 | $43,919 | -21% | #194 of 207 | #205 | $17,500 |
| Area Studies | $33,103 | $40,623 | -28% | #67 of 70 | #68 | $15,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,258 | $40,616 | +2% | #115 of 255 | #179 | $19,500 |
| Music | $15,834 | $38,858 | -9% | #209 of 268 | #226 | $20,055 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27,116 | $38,460 | -21% | #125 of 137 | #130 | $17,604 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Western Washington University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $670,506
- Avg rent near campus: $1,867/mo
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 98276 (2.7% cap, Nooksack)
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🏆 Where Western Washington University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,997 | $26,564 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $29,967 | $48,534 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,416 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,741 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,177 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,581 |
| $110,001+ | $25,698 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Western Washington University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Western Washington University?
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Is Western Washington University a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Western Washington University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology