Western Washington University
Western Washington University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Western Washington University at a Glance
Western Washington University is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It was established in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private teachers' school founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977.
1893
133 years old
$165M
$165.4 million (2025)
14,710
13,752 undergrad · 958 grad
683
215 acres
Identity
Is Western Washington University Worth It?
Western Washington University offers moderate value at $21,193/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,569, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Western Washington University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #27 of 47 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #27 | Western Washington University | 48 | $21,193 | $62,569 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Western Washington University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WA.
Best Programs at Western Washington University
The highest-earning program at Western Washington University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $68,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at $20,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Western Washington University earns $68,800, while a Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies graduate earns $20,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $17,713 for Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,193/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,800 | $68,800 | $12,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $66,700 | $66,700 | $20,982 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $51,800 | $51,800 | $21,842 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $51,700 | $51,700 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,400 | $44,400 | $18,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,300 | $44,300 | $24,748 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $20,932 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,600 | $43,600 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,400 | $43,400 | $22,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,300 | $42,300 | $19,000 |
| Economics | $38,900 | $38,900 | $19,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $38,600 | $38,600 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $38,500 | $38,500 | $19,500 |
| International Business | $34,600 | $34,600 | $15,478 |
| Chemistry | $32,800 | $32,800 | $20,487 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $19,707 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,700 | $31,700 | $18,878 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $29,200 | $29,200 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | $28,800 | $28,800 | $17,508 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $19,346 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,500 | $28,500 | $17,710 |
| Human Services, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $20,600 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $28,100 | $28,100 | $17,520 |
| Sociology | $27,800 | $27,800 | $19,834 |
| Journalism | $27,500 | $27,500 | $19,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,700 | $26,700 | $19,225 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,600 | $26,600 | $23,471 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $26,600 | $26,600 | $19,500 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $26,200 | $26,200 | $20,500 |
| Biology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $15,151 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $25,700 | $25,700 | $18,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $25,100 | $25,100 | $17,645 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,900 | $24,900 | $16,817 |
| History | $24,300 | $24,300 | $19,652 |
| Geography and Cartography | $24,000 | $24,000 | $18,308 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $17,166 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $23,600 | $23,600 | $20,627 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,500 | $23,500 | $20,360 |
| Anthropology | $22,900 | $22,900 | $21,500 |
| Philosophy | $22,100 | $22,100 | $22,694 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $21,300 | $21,300 | N/A |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,500 | $20,500 | $24,148 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $20,000 | $20,000 | $17,713 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bellingham, WA
- Student Body
- 13,544 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,193
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,569
- Median Student Debt
- $18,500