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Colleges / Western Washington University

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate93%

Western Washington University Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Western Washington University was $7,270 a year for in-state students and $25,838 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

International students can expect to pay 25,838 per year for tuition at Western Washington University.

Western Washington University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Western Washington University full-time are awarded $20,917 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $20,648 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,270 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Washington residents can expect to pay 25,838 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Washington colleges

Western Washington University International Student Tuition

Western Washington University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Western Washington University can expect to pay around $25,838 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Western Washington University Room, Board, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Western Washington University.

Room and Board Costs at Western Washington University

Housing and campus dining at Western Washington University costs $15,894 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Board costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Western Washington University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Western Washington University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is usually pricey, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Western Washington University campus is located in a city in Washington, near Seattle and Vancouver and BC Canada.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


The Full Cost of Attending Western Washington University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Western Washington University.

How Much Does Western Washington University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Western Washington University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $7,270
Out-of-State Tuition $25,838
Room and Board $15,894
Other expenses $2,670

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Western Washington University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students


Financial Aid at Western Washington University


In 2023, 5,257 of the 13,801 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Western Washington University meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $20,917 a year. Around 45% of Western Washington University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Western Washington University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,648 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $17,777
State Loans $38,944
Private Loans $25,541
Most Common Loans for Western Washington University Students
Federal Loans 45%
State loans 1%
Private loans 5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Western Washington University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Western Washington University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Western Washington University awarded 4,837 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $47.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.84 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Western Washington University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Western Washington University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Western Washington University was $20,917 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Western Washington University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-12,808
Net In-state, Off-campus $-10,455
Out-of-State, On-Campus $26,677

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Western Washington University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Western Washington University's net cost calculator on their website.

Western Washington University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Western Washington University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Western Washington University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Western Washington University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Western Washington University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Western Washington University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Western Washington University's endowment was $95.5 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $11,588 for each full-time student enrolled.


Learn More About Western Washington University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Join the conversation about about Western Washington University in the College Confidential forums

Western Washington University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,356

In State

$44,924

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$7,270
$25,838
Fees
$2,016
$2,016
Housing
$15,894
$15,894
Books
$1,176
$1,176

Western Washington University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

40%

Average Financial Aid Package

$20,590

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

14,747

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

93%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$9,286

Out-of-State

$27,854

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 31
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