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Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington

14,564 Students on Campus
Bellingham Location
95,860 Metro Population
14,564 Students on Campus
Bellingham Location
95,860 Metro Population

About This Campus

Western Washington University was founded in 1893 as a Normal School to confer degrees in Education. Over time, it grew to become what is today Western Washington University--a public, comprehensive, regional university that grants bachelor and masters degrees. Known as "Western" for short, our university's focus on undergraduates makes studying at Western a very special experience for those students. Undergrads are largely taught by professors instead of graduate students for 99% of classes, they are given access to research opportunities and mentoring typically reserved for grad students at larger research universities, and student life is vibrant and active with over 250 students clubs and organizations, sports, and activities. The university has seven colleges on campus, which offer over 175 academic programs. Class sizes are relatively small, with an average class size of 27 students.

WWU has a strong commitment to sustainability, including recent recognition as a "Best Green College,"

The U.S. News & World Report names WWU as the Best Value College and the #2 Best Public School in the West.

WWU is committed to creating an accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

Helpful Information

Western Washington University utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. (Fall: Sept. - Dec. Win: Jan - March. Spr: April - June) Generally, quarter credits convert to semester credits at 2/3 value (e.g., 15 quarter credits convert to 10 semester credits). Students may attend WWU for a single quarter but may find course selection limited if they attend spring quarter only.

Location Information

Bellingham, Washington sits between a sheltered bay opening up to the San Juan islands and Mount Baker. Seattle and Vancouver are both a short drive away. WWU's main campus is situated on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples, who have lived in the Salish Sea basin, from time immemorial. We express our deepest respect and gratitude to our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 09/23/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/11/2026

Winter Start Date: 01/05/2027 - Winter End Date: 03/19/2027

Spring Start Date: 03/30/2027 - Spring End Date: 06/11/2027

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

In general, NSE students are allowed to take any courses at WWU. However, there are some limitations to enrollment in the following areas: College of Business courses, Environmental Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Political Science, Biology, Geology, Physical Education, Kineseology, Health and Recreation, Communications, English, Psychology, and Education. Audition or portfolio is required for admission to some Music and Art classes. Regarding Physical Education classes: Please note that all Physical Education classes are "self-supporting", which means they are not covered under normal tuition. Any student enrolling in a P.E. class will need to pay an additional per credit fee out of pocket regardless of payment plan.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business — The College of Business and Economics is AACSB accredited
  • Environmental Science — You can take courses like Oceanography of the Salish Sea, Indigenous Resource Management in the Salish Sea, Paleoclimate and Paleoecology, and Marine Geochemistry. Student work is well received and recognized from national and statewide organizations for the use of field, laboratory and computer modeling approaches combined with quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills to solve multidisciplinary problems.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Canadian American Studies — The Center for Canadian American Studies at Western Washington University is one of only two U.S. Department of Education designated National Resource Centers for the study of Canada in the United States
  • College of the Environment Spatial Institute — The Spatial Institute is an interdisciplinary center for spatial research in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, Geography, Resilience, and related fields. Housed within the College of the Environment, the Institute provides opportunities for collaboration within the College, across Western Washington University, and with the broader community.
  • Institute for Energy Studies — IES is a multi-college collaboration that offers interdisciplinary undergraduate degrees to address the science, technology, policy, business and economic aspects of energy systems.
  • Salish Sea Institute — Given our placement on the edge of the Salish Sea, in Coast Salish territories, and near the international border, Western Washington University created the Salish Sea Institute to raise awareness and protection for the Salish Sea. At the Salish Sea Institute, we work to share knowledge across disciplines and borders. We created a minor in Salish Sea Studies to teach students about the Salish Sea’s history, ecology, culture, and management complexities.
  • The Ray Wolpow Institute For the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity — Our mission is to advance knowledge about the Holocaust and genocide, including ethnic and religious conflict as well as attendant human rights abuses. The institute is home to two academic minors, one in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and another in Human Rights, the latter offered in partnership with Fairhaven College
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: No

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? -

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/17/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $2582
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $732
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Parking Fee
$0
Term
Away & Home
Optional
NSE Program Fee
$150
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Housing Fee
$200
Year
Away & Home
Optional
IMPORTANT NOTES:

You will pay your bills to WWU through your online student account. Payment for the quarter is due on the subsequent 15th of the month. For students paying tuition and mandatory fees to WWU, please note that you will initially be charged non-residential tuition. The non-residential tuition rate will be adjusted to the residential rate prior to the start of the quarter.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/19/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $0
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

There are multiple housing options with a corresponding range of cost profiles. Most on-campus housing options require students to purchase a meal plan. Student's looking for the least expensive option should consider Birnam Woods, which is an apartment-style, shared accommodation. Meal plans are optional for Birnam Woods residents. Academic year students should remember that WWU is on the quarter system, which means you will need to pay for three terms of housing.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $0
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

There are multiple meal plans with a corresponding range of cost profiles. Please note that the cost of living in Bellingham, WA, is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by its expensive housing market, which is about 40% higher than the U.S. average. Other expenses are also higher, with groceries and transportation costing more, while utilities are slightly lower than the national average.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Most Competitive

This campus is one of the most requested and accepts fewer than 25% of applicants. You may apply to only one campus marked most competitive, and it must be listed as the first choice on their application. If you apply to this campus, we suggest you list a minimum of 3-5 alternate campuses, with one to two campuses that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Most Competitive

This campus is one of the most requested and accepts fewer than 25% of applicants. You may apply to only one campus marked most competitive, and it must be listed as the first choice on their application. If you apply to this campus, we suggest you list a minimum of 3-5 alternate campuses, with one to two campuses that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS RESOURCES/LINKS:
CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: