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F A S T   F A C T S
Location | Bellingham
Population | 90,665
Enrollment | 15,197
Language | English
Calendar | Quarter
Canada | Home Payment

Term Dates
Fall | 09/27-12/15
Winter | 1/9-3/22
Spring | 4/2-6/14

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA

   
WWU is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the PNW
WWU was named as one of the best public schools in the West for veterans
WWU has one of the most sustainable, “green” campuses in the nation

About This Campus

Western Washington University was founded in 1893 as a Normal School to confer degrees in Education. Overtime, 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.

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.

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.
2024-2025 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Most Competitive
Understand Chances of Placement

Academics

RegistrationLimitations
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 Academic Programs

  • Business Administration, Accounting and Economics, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Financial Economics, Business and Sustainability - The College of Business and Economics is AACSB accredited. Less than five percent of the world's business schools that have achieved AACSB accreditation
  • 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. Students routinely present their scientific work at regional and national conferences.

Unique Academic 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

Undergraduate Majors Open to NSE Students

Accounting, American Studies, Anthropology... ++ show all

Conditions

GPA and Other Academic Requirements Exchange Preferences
  • Full-year exchange Accepted
  • Single term exchange Accepted
Non-Native English Speakers
  • TOEFL: must have a score of 550.00 paper, N/A computer or 80.00 Internet
  • IELTS: must have a score of 6.50
Summer Exchange
  • Not available
International Students (Visa Students)
  • Will accept Home/Host Pay
Canadian Students - learn more
  • Will accept Home Payment Pay

Tuition / Finances

Figures per Quarter are current as of 06/14/23

Finances Tuition and Fees Per Quarter - Host Payment Students
  • Pay resident-rate tuition to your host campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your home campus
  • Estimated cost: $3070.
  • Figures are based on full-time enrollment.
Tuition and Fees - Home Payment Students
  • Pay regular tuition to your home campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your host campus.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Quarter
  • Host Payment: 18 ($448 per additional hour)
  • Home Payment: 18 ($448 per additional hour)

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

Miscellaneous Fees - Per Quarter

Purpose Amount Period Plan Status
Housing Deposit $200 Year Host & Home Mandatory
Parking Fee $108 Quarter Host & Home Optional
Course Fees / MaterialsVariesSemesterHost & HomeMandatory

Important Notes: Housing Deposit: The housing deposit is mandatory for on-campus housing. For more information, please use the following link: https://housing.wwu.edu/ Parking Fee: There are multiple parking permit options for people wanting on-campus parking. For more information, please use the following link: https://transportation.wwu.edu/student-permits For students on financial aid - Please keep in mind that Western operates on a quarter system. Be sure to discuss with your NSE coordinator such issues as your financial aid release date and requirements for maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Room / Meals

Figures are current as of 06/14/23

On-Campus Housing Per Quarter Off-Campus Housing Notes About Housing
There are multiple off-campus housing options and rates. For more information, please use the following link: https://offcampusliving.wwu.edu/

Meal Plans

Notes About Meal Plans
There is also an "unlimited meal plan" for $1,828 for fall term. For more information, please use the following link: https://wwu.campusdish.com/MealPlans/MealPlans101

Health

Figures per Quarter are current as of 06/14/23

Important Notes about Health Insurance
Link to Student Health Insurance Options: https://studenthealth.wwu.edu/insurance-options

Exchange with Canada - Health Insurance
Students do not need to purchase health insurance.

Requirements

Other Health Related Comments
Recommended Vaccines for Incoming Students:
* Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
* Meningococcal (MenACWY)
* Meningococcal (MenB)
* Influenza (Annually)
* Hepatitis A
* Hepatitis B

All data in this document is the responsibility of the campus and has been provided by the campus NSE coordinator.
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