Western Washington University (WWU) vs Gonzaga
Western Washington University and Gonzaga University, both esteemed institutions in the Pacific Northwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Western, a public university located in Bellingham, boasts an acceptance rate of 84%, while Gonzaga, a private Jesuit university in Spokane, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 65%. Western's diverse student body comprises over 15,000 undergraduates, while Gonzaga fosters a more intimate learning environment with approximately 7,500 undergraduates. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Western known for its strong programs in environmental science, psychology, and business, and Gonzaga recognized for its nursing, engineering, and business programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() Gonzaga University |
![]() Western Washington University |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Spokane, Washington | Bellingham, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 76.2% | 96.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$100
|
SAT range | 1210 - 1380 | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | 27 - 31 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 18.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,853 | 10,580 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,742 | 10,167 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,311 | 2,874 |
Yield rate | 19.4% | 28.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $64,356 |
In state:
$26,634
Out of state:
$43,861
|
Average net price | $35,529 | $11,388 |
Tuition | $47,560 |
In state:
$7,572
Out of state:
$24,799
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,922
Meal plan:
$6,520
|
$13,079 |
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,861 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,092 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,929 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $8,834 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,435 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
4,986
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
2,395
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 58.4% | N/A |
International students | 2.8% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,010 | 3,985 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Washington California Oregon Colorado Arizona | N/A |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 85.1% | 67.7% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 9.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
|
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.










































































































































































































































