Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Western Washington admits about 9 in 10 applicants (93%). That puts it in the "Accessible in-state, Open out of state" tier, more selective than 16% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (93% and 94%).
$70 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Washington applicants were admitted at 94%, applicants from other states at 96%, and international applicants at 42%.
Of those admitted, 28% from Washington enrolled, against 12% from other states and 11% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
23% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 31
No early decision plan.
Where you stand
How Western Washington reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both considered. 29% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores are optional. 9% of first-years sent an SAT and 2% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 2 of science, and 3 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
79% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 93% of first-year applicants
1,929 applied · 1,519 admitted · 853 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date March 1, apply by June 1, decisions on a rolling basis
- Winter entry: priority date September 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date January 1, decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: priority date March 1, apply by May 1, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Recommended for some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Recommended for some
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 31 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting September 15.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 3 weeks if admitted later.
- $250 housing deposit, due June 15, refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 1) | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 3 |
| Total | 14.5 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
Recent change: Started considering class rank in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.42
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.04%
- 3.75–3.9925%
- 3.50–3.7421%
- 3.25–3.4917%
- 3.00–3.2413%
- below 3.020%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 4.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 25.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 21.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 17.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 13.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 16.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 4.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Western Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1270 on the SAT, 100 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
11% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
10% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
16% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 9% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 2% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Western Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Western Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Western Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Western Washington University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)