Eastern Washington University vs Western Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a public university in Cheney, WA, and Western Washington University is a public university in Bellingham, WA. Eastern Washington University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 91% of applicants against 93% at Western Washington University. Eastern Washington University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,886 a year against $21,193 at Western Washington University. About 65% of students graduate at Western Washington University, compared with 45% at Eastern Washington University. Ten years after enrolling, Western Washington University alumni earn a median of about $62,569, against $57,897 for Eastern Washington University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Cheney, WA
Bellingham, WA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
6,222
13,544
Acceptance rate
91%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.15–3.65
3.26–3.76
SAT (middle 50%)
880–1090
1150–1390
ACT (middle 50%)
16–23
24–31
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,886
$21,193
Full cost / yr
$24,478
$30,359
In-state tuition
$8,586
$9,582
Out-of-state tuition
$25,959
$28,707
Application fee
$60
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,547
$12,915
$30k - $48k
$10,204
$14,147
$48k - $75k
$12,292
$17,539
$75k - $110k
$17,596
$24,301
Over $110k
$22,279
$27,984
Outcomes
Graduation rate
45%
65%
Freshman retention
67%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,469
$45,272
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,897
$62,569
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
$18,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
35%
21%
First-generation students
36%
27%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 1
Jan 31
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University harder to get into?
- Eastern Washington University is harder to get into. It admits about 91% of applicants, compared with 93% at Western Washington University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University?
- Eastern Washington University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,886 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,193 at Western Washington University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University?
- Before aid, Eastern Washington University costs about $24,478 a year and Western Washington University about $30,359. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University?
- Eastern Washington University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,547 there, against about $12,915 at Western Washington University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University?
- Western Washington University is the larger of the two, with about 13,544 undergraduates against 6,222 at Eastern Washington University.
- Does Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University have a better graduation rate?
- Western Washington University has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 45% at Eastern Washington University.
- Do graduates of Eastern Washington University or Western Washington University earn more?
- Western Washington University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,569 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,897 for Eastern Washington University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Eastern Washington University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Western Washington University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 880–1090 at Eastern Washington University and 1150–1390 at Western Washington University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Eastern Washington University vs Gonzaga UniversityEastern Washington University vs University of Washington-Bothell CampusEastern Washington University vs Central Washington UniversityWestern Washington University vs Gonzaga UniversityWestern Washington University vs University of Washington-Bothell CampusWestern Washington University vs Central Washington University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school