Washington State University (WSU) vs Utah State University (USU)

Washington State University (WSU) and Utah State University (USU) are two prominent public research universities located in the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain West, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. WSU boasts a higher acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a more diverse range of academic programs compared to USU. On the other hand, USU has a slightly higher graduation rate and offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. To help prospective students make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into the key differences between these two universities, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates.

	Utah State University	Washington State University
Overview
Location	Logan, Utah	Pullman, Washington
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	74.0%	81.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.6%	85.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $55	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1080 - 1310	N/A
ACT range	21 - 29	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	79.0%
Total number of applicants	15,567	18,197
Total number of admissions given out	14,420	15,607
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,223	4,007
Yield rate	29.3%	25.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,168 Out of state: $37,288	In state: $28,767 Out of state: $44,083
Average net price	$14,529	$11,877
Tuition	In state: $8,042 Out of state: $23,162	In state: $10,457 Out of state: $25,773
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $2,410 Meal plan: $3,630	Room/dormitory: $7,400 Meal plan: $4,350
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $9,802	86.0% Average amount $9,993
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $4,808	27.0% Average amount $5,042
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $13,673	3.0% Average amount $15,454

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,255 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	24,278 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%
Graduate students	3,171 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%	5,565 Men 44.7% Women 55.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	29.5%	15.2%
International students	1.4%	5.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	3,125	7,043
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Utah Idaho California Colorado Texas	Washington California Oregon Idaho Hawaii

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Social Sciences Education	Business Engineering Social Sciences Health Professions Education
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	55.8%	59.5%
Dropout rate	42.1%	38.1%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,930 Year 3: $91,309 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,921 Year 2: $72,587 Year 3: $83,986 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,635 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $80,718 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,903 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,293 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,345 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $75,576 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,935 Year 2: $63,501 Year 3: $75,056 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,303 Year 2: $58,334 Year 3: $72,352 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,967 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $71,503 Air Transportation (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,228 Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $70,839 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,717 Year 2: $61,728 Year 3: $69,682	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $143,888 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,911 Year 2: $123,178 Year 3: $127,531 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,080 Year 2: $100,915 Year 3: $120,737 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,957 Year 2: $112,073 Year 3: $119,910 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $106,275 Year 2: $105,813 Year 3: $117,478 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $82,971 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $96,760 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,468 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $88,746 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $80,693 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $81,535 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,112 Year 2: $68,808 Year 3: $80,939 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,531 Year 2: $72,881 Year 3: $79,650

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between Washington State University (WSU) and Utah State University (USU)?

WSU is located in Pullman, Washington, a more rural setting in the Palouse region of Eastern Washington. The campus has a classic college town feel. USU is situated in Logan, Utah, nestled in a mountain valley. Logan offers a blend of outdoor recreation opportunities and a smaller-town atmosphere, with easy access to national forests and ski resorts.
How do the academic programs compare at WSU and USU?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. WSU is known for its strengths in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. USU excels in programs related to agriculture, engineering, natural resources, and aerospace studies. Both universities have strong research programs, but WSU generally has a larger research budget and more doctoral programs.
What is the cost of attendance like at WSU versus USU?

Tuition and fees vary, but generally, USU tends to be slightly more affordable for in-state students compared to WSU. Out-of-state tuition costs are also competitive at both institutions. It's recommended to check the most recent tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
How does the student life and campus culture differ between WSU and USU?

WSU has a vibrant campus culture with a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football. The social scene is active, and there are numerous student organizations. USU also has a strong sense of community, with a focus on outdoor recreation and a more close-knit feel. Both universities offer a variety of clubs, activities, and events to engage students.
What are the athletic programs like at WSU and USU?

WSU competes in the Pac-12 Conference, a Power Five conference, offering high-profile athletic events and a strong focus on football and basketball. USU competes in the Mountain West Conference, providing competitive Division I athletics with a slightly less intense focus on national rankings. Both universities offer a wide range of sports and opportunities for student involvement.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare at WSU and USU?

Both universities provide robust career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. WSU, with its larger alumni network and broader industry connections, may offer slightly more opportunities in certain fields. USU's career services are also excellent, particularly for students in agriculture, engineering, and related fields, with strong regional and national connections.
What are the housing options like at WSU and USU?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments. WSU has a larger student population, so on-campus housing can be competitive. USU also provides a range of housing choices, and off-campus housing is readily available near both campuses. The specific options and costs should be reviewed on each university's housing website.
How does the research environment differ at WSU and USU?

WSU generally has a larger research budget and a broader range of research opportunities, particularly in areas like agriculture, engineering, and environmental science. USU also has a strong research focus, especially in areas related to its location and strengths, such as aerospace, natural resources, and agricultural sciences. Both universities provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research.
What are the admission requirements like at WSU and USU?

Admission requirements are similar, with both universities considering factors like high school GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies are common), and extracurricular activities. WSU generally has slightly higher average GPA and test score requirements. It's essential to check the specific admission requirements on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
Which university is better for students interested in outdoor recreation?

USU is generally considered to be the better choice for students who prioritize outdoor recreation. Its location in Logan, Utah, provides unparalleled access to mountains, national forests, and ski resorts. While WSU offers some outdoor opportunities, USU's proximity to these resources is a significant advantage.

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