Western Washington University (WWU) vs Lewis & Clark College
Western Washington University and Lewis & Clark College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Western, a public university located in Bellingham, Washington, boasts an acceptance rate of 84%, while Lewis & Clark, a private liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 54%. Western's diverse student body comprises over 15,000 undergraduates, while Lewis & Clark fosters a more intimate learning environment with approximately 2,000 undergraduates. Both institutions excel in academics, with Western renowned for its strong programs in environmental science and education, and Lewis & Clark celebrated for its exceptional liberal arts curriculum. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions between these two outstanding institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Lewis & Clark College |
![]() Western Washington University |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Oregon | Bellingham, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Large | 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 | 86.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.5% | 96.1% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 1240 - 1420 | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | 27 - 32 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 5,519 | 10,580 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,385 | 10,167 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 677 | 2,874 |
Yield rate | 15.4% | 28.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,452 |
In state:
$26,634
Out of state:
$43,861
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Average net price | $37,155 | $11,388 |
Tuition | $56,970 |
In state:
$7,572
Out of state:
$24,799
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,870
Meal plan:
$6,104
|
$13,079 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $34,274 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
78.0%
Average amount $5,430 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,929 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $19,885 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,116
Men 36.3% Women 63.7% |
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
1,383
Men 28.7% Women 71.3% |
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.8% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,450 | 3,985 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 74.2% | 67.7% |
Dropout rate | 17.4% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 8.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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)
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