Academic Comparison between Whitman and Western Washington

Whitman College and Western Washington University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Whitman is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Walla Walla, WA and Western Washington is a four-year, public school located in Bellingham, WA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Whitman is a private (not-for-profit) and Western Washington is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Whitman has more expensive tuition & fees ($64,050) than Western Washington ($28,707).
  • It is harder to admit to Whitman than Western Washington.
  • Whitman has a higher submitted SAT score (1,410) than Western Washington (1,280).
  • Whitman has higher submitted ACT score (31) than Western Washington (28).
  • Western Washington has more students with 14,710 students while Whitman has 1,561 students.
  • Whitman has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Western Washington's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • Western Washington has more full-time faculties with 686 faculties while Whitman has 192 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Whitman Western Washington
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Whitman Collegevs.Western Washington University
Walla Walla, WashingtonLocationBellingham, Washington
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$64,0502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$9,582
Out-Of-State$28,707
91%% Receiving Financial Aid58%
$37,864Average Amount of Financial Aid$9,066
38.15 %Acceptance Rates93.25 %
14.12 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)22.94 %
1,410SAT Score1,280
31ACT Score28
81 %Graduation Rate65 %
12 %Transfer-out Rate-
87 %Retention Rate79 %
1,561Student Population14,710
192Number of Faculties686
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare