The average acceptance rate at Willamette over the past 10 years is 80.36%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 77.09%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly more competitive to gain admission to Willamette in 2025. The acceptance rate at Willamette is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 11.96%, and the 2025 yield is 14.25%. Overall, the yield has increased by 35.00% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Willamette applicants decreased by 6.70% (275 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 39.48% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 77.09%, demonstrating consistent admission standards over the past decade. The stability of this rate suggests that Willamette maintains a predictable and steady admissions environment for prospective students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 14.25%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Willamette is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Willamette and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Willamette received approximately 3,832 applications, admitted 2,954 students, and enrolled 421 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing Willamette's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
Willamette 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Willamette over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 80.36%, while the most recent rate stands at 77.09%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 77.09%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 76.07% and for women is 83.34%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Willamette have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 77.94% | 73.41% | 81.11% |
| 2016-17 | 78.06% 0.12% |
72.82% -0.59% |
81.81% 0.70% |
| 2017-18 | 89.09% 11.03% |
85.37% 12.56% |
92.01% 10.20% |
| 2018-19 | 83.64% -5.45% |
77.42% -7.96% |
89.11% -2.90% |
| 2019-20 | 77.92% -5.72% |
74.01% -3.41% |
80.53% -8.58% |
| 2020-21 | 80.17% 2.25% |
74.60% 0.59% |
83.71% 3.18% |
| 2021-22 | 80.00% -0.17% |
76.00% 1.40% |
82.01% -1.70% |
| 2022-23 | 80.60% 0.60% |
78.44% 2.44% |
82.04% 0.03% |
| 2023-24 | 79.11% -1.49% |
76.35% -2.09% |
80.58% -1.46% |
| 2024-25 | 77.09% -2.02% |
72.30% -4.05% |
80.49% -0.09% |
| Average | 80.36% | 76.07% | 83.34% |
Willamette has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 10.56% in 2015 to 14.25% in 2025, representing a 35.00% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 11.96%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Willamette from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 35.00% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 10.56% | 11.85% | 9.74% |
| 2016-17 | 9.82% -0.73% |
11.31% -0.54% |
8.88% -0.86% |
| 2017-18 | 11.01% 1.19% |
10.77% -0.54% |
11.19% 2.31% |
| 2018-19 | 11.09% 0.07% |
11.04% 0.27% |
11.12% -0.07% |
| 2019-20 | 11.99% 0.90% |
13.01% 1.97% |
11.36% 0.24% |
| 2020-21 | 10.08% -1.91% |
12.50% -0.51% |
8.71% -2.65% |
| 2021-22 | 9.00% -1.08% |
10.04% -2.46% |
8.02% -0.69% |
| 2022-23 | 16.28% 7.28% |
16.65% 6.62% |
16.04% 8.02% |
| 2023-24 | 15.51% -0.77% |
14.71% -1.95% |
14.13% -1.91% |
| 2024-25 | 14.25% -1.26% |
13.98% -0.73% |
13.90% -0.24% |
| Average | 11.96% | 12.59% | 11.31% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 4,480, the average number of admitted is 3,595, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 423.
The number of Willamette applicants decreased by 6.70% (275 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 39.48% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Willamette University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 6,332 | 4,935 | 521 |
| 2016-17 | 6,181 -2.38% |
4,825 -2.23% |
474 -9.02% |
| 2017-18 | 4,484 -27.46% |
3,995 -17.20% |
440 -7.17% |
| 2018-19 | 4,206 -6.20% |
3,518 -11.94% |
390 -11.36% |
| 2019-20 | 3,972 -5.56% |
3,095 -12.02% |
371 -4.87% |
| 2020-21 | 4,010 0.96% |
3,215 3.88% |
324 -12.67% |
| 2021-22 | 3,680 -8.23% |
2,944 -8.43% |
265 -18.21% |
| 2022-23 | 3,994 8.53% |
3,219 9.34% |
524 97.74% |
| 2023-24 | 4,107 2.83% |
3,249 0.93% |
504 -3.82% |
| 2024-25 | 3,832 -6.70% |
2,954 -9.08% |
421 -16.47% |
| Average | 4,480 | 3,595 | 423 |
The following table compares Willamette University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willamette University | 79.11% | 77.09% | -2.55% |
| Concordia University-Portland | - | - | - |
| George Fox University | 93.51% | 96.41% | -3.01% |
| Lewis & Clark College | 78.49% | 74.53% | 5.31% |
| Pacific University | 89.56% | 91.76% | -2.40% |
| University of Portland | 89.17% | 95.39% | -6.52% |
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