Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$18,398
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$9,979
$30k - $48k
$11,357
$48k - $75k
$16,819
$75k - $110k
$21,763
$110k+
$23,101
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$8,967
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$26,873
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$14,691
Books and Supplies
$1,086
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
80%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
23%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,874
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
23%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,235
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,675
Students receiving state aid
22%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$6,623
Students receiving federal aid
35%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,235
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$47,479,228
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$2,844,563

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
40%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,514
Students receiving federal loans
39%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,845
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,544
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,805
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$181

What Students Are Saying

If you choose your professors wisely, enroll for up to 18 credits (it costs the same as less credits), use the resources that your tuition fees cover, and buy used textbooks, then you’re getting a great deal. Tuition prices are very reasonable, but increasing, and so the best way to get the biggest bang for your buck is to get involved and use all of the resources. The Scholarship Center, Technology Center, Writing Center, Student Employment Office, and Viking Union are excellent places to start. Plenty of events on campus offer free food, music, film, art, lectures, prizes, games—you name it. Facebook and the Viking Union will keep you posted on all the happenings. When you buy textbooks, check out the coupon booklet they give you at the register that’s loaded with discounts. Also, take advantage of free PE classes during the first week of every term since it’s a great way to vary your workout and meet new people. Western constantly strives to better their campus community and the university experience through their resources. Even with budget cuts, WWU looks for ways to offer their students uncompromised, high quality education. Learning isn’t just about listening to a lecture, or writing down notes, but doing. Do everything you can to succeed and you will.
Patricia from Brush Prairie, WA
Having just finished my first year at Western, I can honestly say that my time there thus far has been well worth the price. I have absolutely loved living in Bellingham, and being a part of the Western community is a ton of fun! Not only are classes fun and engaging, but there is always something going on on campus. Advisors and professors make themselves easily available to students, and the campus Tutoring Center is another great resource for helping students to succeed. I lived in the dorms this past year and found it to be comfortable and enjoyable. I would recommend that all students try living on campus for a year just for the experience if nothing else. In comparison to some other colleges around the state, Western definitely gives you the most bang for your buck.
Stephanie from Spokane, WA
Even though Western has been quite expensive being an out of state student I do have to say after my first year it was all worth it even if it may be a little high priced. Western makes sure to put every dollar to pay to use and aren't cutting you out of anything!
Alyssa from Carpinteria, CA
College is always expensive. As far as tuition goes Western is comparable to any other university, campus housing and meal plans are the same ridiculous price as anywhere else, the difference for me has been the amount of financial aid offered. Even with the present economic condition Western still is offering financial aid through scholarships and grants. For the education I'm receiving and the experiences I'm accruing Western is amazing.
Erin from Olympia, WA
This school is relatively inexpensive compared to other universities, especially if you live in state. The problem is that we just had budget cuts, so I would recommend that prospective students keep track of the cost of this school's tuition and other expenses. The same is probably true for a lot of schools in Washington and across the country. Overall though, I feel as though my finances are VERY manageable here. I never feel strapped for cash. That being said, I must also let you know that I spend most of my money on important stuff like food, and I cut most other expenses.
Hannah from Camas, WA
Bellingham is not too far or too close from where I live, which is in Seattle. It is not a large urban city but it is peaceful for the most part. Class sizes are not enormous aside from the few hundreds in lecture classes. And the courses you select depends on how thoroughly you look into what your class structures are like to see if you can mange it or not.
Anthony from Seattle, WA
Western is a moderately priced school and offers a great education for the money.
Connor from Bellingham, WA
without the aid of scholarships, living on campus and tuition can become quite expensive, but not nearly as much as university of washington, or any private school. with many highly acclaimed departments, an education here can be as good or better than any competing school.
Kyle from Shoreline, WA
For in state, WWU definitely gives you bang for the buck. It is a very good school, often rated as one of the best in the pacific northwest, while still being very moderately priced. There are also lots of scholarships and financial aid, as well as lots of amenities and options for everyone. Western really encourages its students to go out into the world and do something instead of just sitting in a room listening to lectures.
Student from Duvall, WA