Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, WA
Don't just go to college—Make Waves
Western Washington University isn’t a place where you just show up for four years, learn a few things, and get a job that bores you. That’s for normal schools. We want people with an appetite for ambition—people who want to learn about the universe then change it. Through close relationships with professors, a community atmosphere, and academic excellence, we help people find their purpose, and we inspire them to pursue that purpose with everything they’ve got. We bring together those who want to change the world with the people who are changing it. Western is where, together, we can Make Waves.
Lead your change
Our students and graduates are recognized for making change in their communities and the world. Citlaly Ramirez tells her story of going from studying English as her second language to getting an internship coding alongside other software developers. As she courageously shares her experience of navigating life as an undocumented student, she creates understanding and inspires others.
Bring your ideas to life
You deserve an education that teaches you to innovate and think critically, preparing you for jobs of the future that don’t yet exist. Even before earning their degrees, Western students have created one of the nation’s first campus recycling programs, developed tiny homes to address affordable housing and environmental sustainability needs, developed the first completely transparent solar window, and so much more.
You belong here
From the beautiful natural environment to the welcoming community, Western is a breath of fresh air and a wonderful place to call home. Get ready to make deep connections and have the real conversations needed to create a better future. Located in northwestern Washington State between the mountains and the bay, this area offers countless ways to connect with the people and causes that are important to you.
Ranked #2 among the "Best in the West Universities" | U.S. News & World Report, 2024 |
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Ranked #13 among the "Best Colleges for Veterans" | U.S. News & World Report, 2024 |
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Ranked #16 among schools in the nation for Transfer Students | The US Department of Education |
With a population of 93,000+, Bellingham is a welcoming and safe community offering the advantages of a larger city and charm of a coastal town. Western students call Bellingham an adventure, a breath of fresh air, and a great place to call home.
• 55 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia
• 90 miles north of Seattle, Washington
• 52 miles to Mount Baker ski area
• Established in 1893
• 14,747 students
• 93% undergraduate
• 28.6% students of color; 57% women
• 200+ undergraduate programs
• 40+ graduate programs
• 6 campus locations
• 250+ student organizations and clubs
• 90% of graduates employed or continuing education within six months of graduation
• 23 years of being a top master’s-granting institution in the Pacific Northwest
• 88% of first-year students and 25% of transfer students live on campus their first year
• Numerous GNAC conference championships in volleyball, soccer, track & field, cross country, basketball, golf, and softball
• 8-time Women's Rowing team NCAA Division II National Champions
• 99% of classes taught by faculty, not graduate assistants
• 74% of Western's faculty hold the highest degree in their field
• 17:1 student-faculty ratio
• 26 is the average class size
• 73% of the classes have 30 or fewer students
• 4.32 years is the average time to degree
• 135,000+ graduates living and working around the world