Western Washington University (WWU) vs UW-Bothell

Western Washington University (WWU) and University of Washington-Bothell Campus (UW Bothell) are two distinct institutions offering unique educational experiences in the vibrant state of Washington. WWU, located in Bellingham, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. UW Bothell, situated in the bustling city of Bothell, offers a more selective admissions process, resulting in a smaller student body. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, WWU is renowned for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, while UW Bothell specializes in STEM fields, business, and computing. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including their graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Washington-Bothell Campus	Western Washington University
Overview
Location	Bothell, Washington	Bellingham, Washington
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	81.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	83.0%	96.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $85	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $100
SAT range	N/A	1090 - 1310
ACT range	N/A	22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score		16.0%
Students submitting ACT score		3.0%
Total number of applicants	4,423	10,580
Total number of admissions given out	3,672	10,167
Admitted students who chose to enroll	900	2,874
Yield rate	24.5%	28.3%
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: $30,877 Out of state: $58,707	In state: $26,634 Out of state: $43,861
Average net price	$7,577	$11,388
Tuition	In state: $10,927 Out of state: $38,757	In state: $7,572 Out of state: $24,799
Room & board	$14,154	$13,079
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	49.0% Average amount $16,408	82.0% Average amount $7,112
Students receiving federal student loan	22.0% Average amount $4,274	29.0% Average amount $4,929
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $16,836	3.0% Average amount $15,435

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,454 Men 52.9% Women 47.1%	14,019 Men 42.6% Women 57.4%
Graduate students	598 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%	1,106 Men 36.4% Women 63.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	6.7%	1.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	174	3,985
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science	Education Psychology Business Multidisciplinary Studies Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.3%	67.7%
Dropout rate	31.4%	30.6%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,990 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $154,987 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $137,584 Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $152,099 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $133,070 Year 2: $127,652 Year 3: $142,606 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,287 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $121,695 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $101,710 Year 2: $101,221 Year 3: $118,800 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,726 Year 2: $99,072 Year 3: $115,501 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,813 Year 2: $95,549 Year 3: $97,725 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,196 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $85,429 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,856 Year 2: $70,961 Year 3: $82,839 Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,433 Year 2: $67,164 Year 3: $81,121	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,837 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $92,019 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,492 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $78,577 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,314 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $76,877 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,624 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $71,599 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,592 Year 2: $60,920 Year 3: $64,540 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $60,325 Year 3: $64,302 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,243 Year 2: $49,572 Year 3: $60,999 Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,788 Year 2: $37,748 Year 3: $58,090 Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,818 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $57,268 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,065 Year 2: $45,696 Year 3: $57,167

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Western Washington University (WWU) and University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell)?

WWU is a mid-sized, primarily undergraduate-focused public university located in Bellingham, known for its strong liberal arts programs and beautiful Pacific Northwest setting. UW Bothell is a smaller, branch campus of the University of Washington, located in Bothell, with a focus on career-oriented programs and a more commuter-based student body. UW Bothell tends to have a more diverse student population and a stronger emphasis on STEM fields, while WWU offers a broader range of academic disciplines and a more traditional college town experience.
Which university is better for students interested in a traditional college experience?

Western Washington University generally offers a more traditional college experience. Its location in Bellingham provides a classic college town atmosphere, with a vibrant downtown area, a greater emphasis on on-campus living, and a wider range of extracurricular activities centered around the university. UW Bothell, being a commuter campus, offers fewer of these traditional elements.
How do the academic programs compare between WWU and UW Bothell?

WWU has a broader range of academic programs, including strong offerings in education, environmental science, and the humanities. UW Bothell excels in STEM fields, particularly computer science, engineering, and business. While both offer popular majors like business and psychology, the specific focus and resources within those departments may differ. Researching specific departments of interest is recommended.
What is the difference in campus environment and student life?

WWU's campus is located in a scenic setting in Bellingham, offering easy access to outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Student life is active, with numerous clubs, organizations, and events. UW Bothell's campus is more suburban, with a focus on academics and career preparation. While UW Bothell has student organizations, the overall campus life is less prominent compared to WWU.
How do the tuition and fees compare between WWU and UW Bothell?

Tuition and fees are generally comparable for in-state students at both WWU and UW Bothell, as they are both public universities in Washington. However, UW Bothell may have slightly higher tuition for certain programs, particularly in STEM fields. Out-of-state tuition will be significantly higher at both institutions. Always check the official university websites for the most up-to-date tuition information.
Which university is better for students interested in STEM fields?

UW Bothell is generally considered stronger in STEM fields, particularly computer science, engineering, and related disciplines. They have invested heavily in these areas and offer specialized programs and research opportunities. While WWU also has STEM programs, UW Bothell's focus and resources in these areas are typically more extensive.
What are the class sizes like at WWU and UW Bothell?

UW Bothell generally has smaller class sizes compared to WWU, especially in upper-level courses. This can lead to more personalized attention from professors. WWU, being a larger university, may have larger introductory courses, but class sizes tend to decrease as students progress in their major.
How does the location of each university impact student life and opportunities?

WWU's location in Bellingham offers a vibrant college town atmosphere with access to outdoor recreation. Bellingham provides internship and job opportunities in local businesses and organizations. UW Bothell's location in the Seattle metropolitan area provides access to a wider range of internship and job opportunities, particularly in the tech industry. The proximity to Seattle is a major advantage for UW Bothell students seeking career experience.
What kind of student is each university best suited for?

WWU is well-suited for students seeking a traditional college experience, a strong liberal arts education, and access to outdoor recreation. UW Bothell is a good fit for students focused on career preparation, particularly in STEM fields, and who prefer a smaller campus environment with close ties to the Seattle business community.
Are there any specific programs that one university is particularly known for?

WWU is known for its programs in education, environmental science, and Fairhaven College (an interdisciplinary program). UW Bothell is recognized for its programs in computer science, engineering, business, and nursing. Researching specific departments within each university is crucial to determine the best fit for your academic goals.
How does the research opportunities compare between WWU and UW Bothell?

While both universities offer research opportunities, UW Bothell, as part of the University of Washington system, generally has more extensive research resources and funding, particularly in STEM fields. WWU also offers research opportunities, especially in areas like environmental science and marine biology, but the scale and scope may be different.
What is the reputation of each university?

Both WWU and UW Bothell are respected public universities in Washington State. The University of Washington system, including UW Bothell, generally has a stronger national reputation, particularly in research and STEM fields. WWU has a strong regional reputation, especially for its undergraduate programs and commitment to sustainability.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.