Western washington university undergraduate tuition and fees

516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225-9008
(360) 650-3000

Tuition 2021 - 2022 (full-time, first-time undergraduate students)

Tuition & Fees 2021 - 2022 2020 - 2021 2019 - 2020
In District $8,703 $8,508 $8,343
In State $8,703 $8,508 $8,343
Out of State $25,930 $25,266 $24,690
Books/Misc. $1,011 $954 $954
On Campus
Room and Board $13,080 $12,518 $12,036
Other Expenses $3,840 $3,783 $3,672
Off Campus
Room and Board $13,080 $12,518 $12,036
Other Expenses $3,840 $3,783 $3,672
Off Campus With Family
Other Expenses - $3,492 $3,390

Financial Aid 2020 - 2021

Type of Aid Percent Receiving Aid Average Amount Received
Federal Grants 35.0% $4,235
State/Local Grant 22.0% $6,623
Institutional Grants 70.0% $3,675
Loans 40.0% $6,514

Visit Institution Website  

Visit Admissions Website    

Visit Financial Aid Website   

Apply Now    

National Athletic Affiliations

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)

Major NCAA Programs

Baseball - N/A
Basketball - Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Football - N/A
Cross Country/Track - N/A

Application Fee

$60

Carnegie Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities I: These institutions typically offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs, and they are committed to graduate education through the master's degree. They award 40 or more master's degrees per year across three or more disciplines.

Special Learning Opportunities

Undergraduate programs or courses are offered via distance education
Graduate programs or courses are offered via distance education
Study abroad
Teacher certification: Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
Teacher certification: Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teachers

Mission Statement

https://president.wwu.edu/mission-statement-and-strategic-plan

Institution Type

Public, 4-year or above 

Degrees Offered

Bachelor's
Master's

Student Services

Remedial services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
On-campus day care for students' children

Credit Accepted

Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits

The above information was obtained via the publicly-available Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), operated by the U.S. Department of Education, which compiles self-reported information provided by colleges and universities, for the purpose of making such information openly available to students and parents.

Discuss

Share your thoughts and perhaps thousands of students will benefit from your unique insight on the subject!


Comments (2)

11/11/2010 10:18:32 PM

I visited WWU and know that for sure this is where I am ment to be.

3/14/2010 7:15:45 PM

I applied to this school and was accepted! I love the area and the school offers a wonderful Art History program. I can't wait to head out there. The school was prompt, they sent emails and called me to let me know what the status of my application and scholarship was. I'm very excited for what WWU holds for me.

Annual Costs

Undergraduate Tuition

Western Washington University tuition is $7,377 per year for in-state residents. This is 1% cheaper than the national average public four year tuition of $7,460. The cost is 64% cheaper than the average Washington tuition of $20,440 for 4 year colleges. Tuition ranks 12th in Washington amongst 4 year colleges for affordability and is the 24th most expensive 4 year college in the state. If attending from out-of-state, the tuition is $24,135 which represents a 227% premium.

The school charges an additional fees of $1,131 in addition to tuition bringing the total effective in-state tuition to $8,508.

Housing Costs

On campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $12,518 per academic year. Students electing to live off campus elsewhere in Bellingham should budget at least this amount.

Books and Supplies

The estimated annual cost for books and supplies is $996.

Other Living Expenses

If living on-campus, students should budget for $3,783 in additional living expenses. Off-campus students should budget for $3,783 in other miscellaneous living expenses.

Total Costs

The total tuition and living expense budget for in-state Washington residents to go to Western Washington University is $25,805 for the 2020/2021 academic year. Out-of-state students who don't have Washington residence can expect a one year cost of $42,563.

Citation: Price data from the U.S. Department of Education's 2020 IPEDS survey response for Western Washington University and represent reported costs for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Costs and Tuition for Western Washington University
Estimated Budgets
Washington Resident Total Budget $25,805
   In-State Tuition $7,377
   Other Fees $1,131
   Room and Board $12,518
   On-Campus Other Budget $3,783
   Books and Supplies $996
Non-Resident Total Budget $42,563
   Out-of-State Tuition $24,135
   Other Fees $1,131
   Room and Board $12,518
   On-Campus Other Budget $3,783
   Books and Supplies $996

Western washington university undergraduate tuition and fees

Will you get in?

Find out which students are getting accepted at Western Washington University, which are not, and how your GPA, SAT, or ACT scores compare.

Calculate My Chances

Sponsored by Cappex

What it Really Costs

Depending on many factors including student and parent income and assets, the total cost of attendance may be less than the $25,805 published price if scholarship or grant aid is made available to you.

Net Price

The net out-of-pocket total cost you end up paying or financing though student loans is known as the net price. The reported Western Washington University net price for in-state students is $18,398* for the 2019/2020 academic year. This net price includes housing and meal expenses.

Pell Grants and other Grant Aid

86% of Western Washington University students received grant aid in 2019/2020. The average total aid amount was $6,874. 23 percent of students received aid in the form of Pell Grants from the U.S. Federal Government. The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $4,690. To apply for a Pell Grant to attend Western Washington University, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Net Price and Financial Aid for Western Washington University
Financial Aid Summary
Average Annual Net Price $18,398*
Percent of Students Receiving Grant Aid 86%
Average Total Grant Aid $6,874
Percent of Students Receiving Pell Grants 23%
Average Amount of Pell Grant Aid $4,690

Average Net Price for In-State Students by Family Income

The average net total cost of attendance for different levels of family income after federal, state or local government, institutional grant and scholarship aid are awarded. Data last published for the 2019/2020 academic year.

Family IncomeAvg. Net Price
$0 to $30,000 $9,979
$30,001 to $48,000 $11,357
$48,001 to $75,000 $16,819
$75,001 to $110,000 $21,763
$110,000+ $23,101

Average Financial Aid Mix - $25,805 In-State Total Cost

CollegeCalc has estimated typical coverage of the annual in-state tuition and living expenses of $25,805. Breakdown is based on average grant aid and federal loan aid which will vary based on your family income.

Grants and Scholarships

31% - $6,874

Money granted to you by the U.S. Department of Education, Western Washington University or other organizations. These are not loans and do not need to be repaid.

Federal Loans

22% - $4,845

Low interest student loans funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This amount will need to be repaid.

Out of Pocket

47% -  $10,303

Covered by family savings, work or private student loans which you will have to repay.

*Reported Average Annual Net Price for in state students receiving grant or scholarship aid reported to the U.S. Department of Education's Academic Year 2019/2020 IPEDS Survey. Financial aid is only available to those who qualify. Consult this school's net price calculator for further understanding of your potential net price.

Note that for colleges with no reported on-campus room and board, the average net price has been increased to account for living expenses. This number may not only reflect the net price paid to the school for tuition.

Is it Worth the Cost?

To make a comparative assessment if Western Washington University is worth the price, measures of it's relative value for tuition dollar can be examined. We've calculated an academic national percentile rating of 58/100 for Western Washington University. Considering an average net price paid of $13,086, this leads to an overall value ranking of 51/100. This places the school 462nd on our national Best Value Colleges ranking as a provider of a very high value education compared to actual overall price paid.

Tuition Comparison to Similar Public Colleges in the Region

SchoolCost vs. Western Washington University
Washington State University 38.3% more expensive
Oregon State University 33.5% more expensive

Cost of a Degree

When considering ability to pay for college, the annual cost is often discussed but it's the "all in" multi-year degree cost which matters in the end. Let's take a look at what it could really cost for four years at Western Washington University.

Estimated 4 Year Cost at Published Tuition

At the current published rates, an estimated total tuition, fees and living expense price for a 4 year bachelor's degree at Western Washington University is $103,220 for students graduating in normal time. This methodology for estimating the 4 year cost is a straight multiple of the most recent reported annual total cost and does not factor in tuition increases during the time you're in school. It also assumes you receive no grant or scholarship aid and pay the full list price.

A potentially more accurate but less conservative estimate of a degree cost can be made by using the school's annual $13,086 in-state net price as the basis. Applying this cost over 4 would estimate the cost of a degree at $52,344**

If you end up on the "five year plan" and need an additional year to graduate, your five year cost could be as high as $129,025 or $65,430 using an average net price.

**Based on a 4 year multiple of Average Annual Net Price for in state students receiving grant or scholarship aid reported to the U.S. Department of Education's 2019/2020 IPEDS Survey. Financial aid is only available to those who qualify. Consult this school's net price calculator for further understanding of your potential net price.

Other Costs

Cost Per Credit Hour and Cost for a Class

Some schools offer the ability to take single classes by paying on a per credit hour basis. The reported price per credit hour and estimated cost for one class at Western Washington University are as follows. Per credit costs are for reference only as many schools will not allow students to pay by credit hour.

Cost per credit hour and per class at Western Washington University
Price per credit hour for Washington residents $246
Cost for one class for Washington residents (3 credit hours) $738
Price per credit hour for out of state residents $804
Cost for one class for out of state residents (3 credit hours) $2,412
Cost for one class for out of state residents (4 credit hours) $3,216

Sponsored by Cappex

Student Loans and Debt

The second consideration after understanding the cost of college is determining how to finance it. Some students are fortunate enough to have some form of family financial assistance, but student loans end up financing a significant portion of higher education in the U.S. 39% of Western Washington University students receive U.S. Federal Student Loans with an average annual Federal Loan aid amount of $4,845.

Example Loan Payments and Costs

How much are student loan payments for Western Washington University? Obviously this varies based on a number of factors - offsetting financial aid you receive, percentage of fee you pay upfront while enrolled and the interest rate on your loans. We've modeled a sample student loan based on current Stafford loan rates to give you an approximate idea.

The following are the costs for a loan if you borrowed $52,344, 100% of the estimated average net price for a four year program and paid nothing while enrolled. The total of all payments including interest would sum $62,792.01. This could be your effective total out of pocket cost of an education at Western Washington University. Note that this calculation assumes you don't pay full list price tuition, are part of the reported 86% of students at this school who receive financial aid and you are paying an average annual net price of $13,086. If you do not financially qualify for a reduced net price, your student loan payments could be significantly higher than this example. Use our Western Washington University student loan calculator below to change loan assumptions and recalculate.

Student loans are not free money and must be repaid. You cannot dismiss student loans by via bankruptcy.

Western Washington University Student Loan Payments
Example Payments
Monthly Loan Payment $523.27
Amount Borrowed $52,344.00
Interest Rate 3.73%
Term 10 years
Number of Monthly Payments 120
Total Interest Cost $10,448.01
Sum of All Payments over 10 years $62,792.01

Affording Student Loan Payments and Post Graduation Salary

Can I afford to attend Western Washington University? In the end, the answer comes down a determination if you will earn enough to comfortably pay back a student loan with your post graduation salary. This is an extremely important point to consider. In order to afford student loan payments and still meet all your other costs of living, it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation. If you're considering attending Western Washington University, you need to carefully consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary.

Using the 10% of salary threshold, an annual income of $62,792.01 would be needed to afford a $523.27 monthly payment in the example $52,344.00 loan modeled above. You will need to determine if it is at all realistic that you will be earning this type of salary after graduation. This assumes a loan payback over 10 years. You can change the terms of this example loan using the student loan calculator below.

Estimated Future Cost and Expected Tuition Increase

What will it cost to send your child to Western Washington University in the future? Nationally, university tuition prices are rising around 5% per year. Looking out five, ten, fifteen or eighteen years, these are CollegeCalc's estimates how much you could expect to pay for a 4 year degree assuming tuition increases at the national average rate. Estimated future prices are based on the current in-state 4 year cost of $103,220.00. Use the college savings plan calculator below to perform a more comprehensive analysis on future costs and how much you will need to save for Western Washington University.

Annual4 Year Degree
Estimated Cost in 5 years for students enrolling in 2027 $35,488 $141,952
Estimated Cost in 10 years for students enrolling in 2032 $45,293 $181,170
Estimated Cost in 15 years for students enrolling in 2037 $57,806 $231,224
Estimated Cost in 18 years for students enrolling in 2040 $66,918 $267,671

Calculators

Use the calculators below to formulate a college savings plan for Western Washington University or model a student loan.

College Savings Calculator

Plan and Save for College

Discover how much will you need to start saving now to afford Western Washington University in the future.

Student Loan Calculator

Estimate Loan Payments

Modify the loan assumptions to fit your financial situation and likely tuition price. Then calculate your payoff and loan payments for a Western Washington University student loan.

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a four year public college located in Bellingham, Washington.  Full time enrollment is 13,389 and part time is 1,808. Learn more about getting accepted at Western Washington University at CollegeSimply.

Students attending this school may pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Address
Western Washington University
516 High Street
Bellingham, Washington
98225-9008
http://www.wwu.edu

For Profit / Not For Profit Status

Western Washington University is a public not for profit institution. Public schools often represent the best value for your education dollar, especially when students qualify for in-state tuition.

Western Washington University cost and financial aid data source: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=237011 IPEDS survey data. Data last updated February 2022 and reflects academic year 2020/2021 costs reported by the school.

How much is tuition and room and board at Western Washington University?

Washington Residents.

How much does it cost to go to Western Washington for 4 years?

4 Year Sticker Price.

Is Western Washington University Expensive?

Take a look at WWU's financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school. ... Cost for Residents of Washington (no aid).

Is University of Washington Fees for international students?

The UW does not provide financial aid or scholarships to undergraduate international students.