
Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, founded in 1893. The university has seen fluctuations in its student population over the years, with a total enrollment of 14,700 students in 2024, including 3,019 freshmen. WWU offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities, with a student body of approximately 10,200 undergraduates and 800 graduate students. The university provides over 150 undergraduate majors and academic programs and more than 1,400 course sections each quarter. WWU's enrollment figures have been impacted by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in birth rates, resulting in a downward trend in recent years. Despite these challenges, the university maintains a strong reputation for its academic programs, location, job placement, and affordable costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total enrollment in 2024 | 14,700 |
| Total enrollment in 2022 | 14,747 |
| Total undergraduate enrollment in 2022 | 13,801 |
| Total undergraduate enrollment in 2023 | 13,704 |
| Number of freshmen in 2024 | 3,019 |
| Number of graduate students in 2024 | 806 |
| Number of students enrolled in the College in the High School program in 2024 | 66 |
| Percentage of first-year students who completed a FAFSA in 2024 | 86% |
| Percentage of first-year students who completed a FAFSA in 2023 | 83% |
| Number of students who received federal Pell Grants in October 2023 | 2,400 |
| Amount of money disbursed in federal Pell Grants to students in October 2023 | $4.3 million |
| Number of students who received federal Pell Grants in Fall 2024 | 3,200 |
| Amount of money disbursed in federal Pell Grants to students in Fall 2024 | $6.3 million |
| Out-of-state enrollment in 2024 | 15.1% |
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What You'll Learn

Western Washington University's student population
Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, in the United States. It was founded in 1893 as a state-funded teaching school for women, although men also enrolled. The university adopted its current name in 1977.
WWU offers bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as a few doctoral programmes. The university's main campus is located on 215 acres in Bellingham, with additional locations in Anacortes, Everett, and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. The campus offers seven miles of forested walking trails and easy access to 29 miles of running and mountain biking trails. The natural setting also provides opportunities for scientific research.
In 2022, WWU had a total student population of 14,747, including 13,801 undergraduate students and 800 graduate students. The university has experienced an overall stable enrolment, although the number of students has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, which were close to 16,000. In fall 2024, WWU welcomed 3,019 freshmen, indicating a smaller class than in previous years. The university's priority deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is January 31, and Washington State also offers financial aid programmes for students who do not wish to file a FAFSA.
WWU offers nearly 150 undergraduate majors and academic programmes and more than 1,400 course sections each quarter. The university's six-year graduation rate is 66%, based on data from the 2017 cohort. WWU's athletic teams are known as the Vikings and compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university's academic reputation, programme selection, location, job placement of graduates, and affordable costs are among the primary reasons students choose to attend.
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WWU's undergraduate and graduate student numbers
Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, that was founded in 1893. The university has seen fluctuations in its student population over the years, with a mix of undergraduate and graduate students.
In 2022, WWU had a total student population of 14,747, with 13,801 undergraduate students and around 800 graduate students. This number had dropped slightly from the pre-pandemic years, when total enrollment hovered around 16,000 students. The university's six-year graduation rate, based on data from the 2017 cohort, is 66%.
WWU offers a wide range of academic programs, with nearly 150 undergraduate majors and over 200 academic programs in total, including bachelor's and master's degrees and a few doctorates. The university also offers a variety of extracurricular opportunities and athletic programs, with its teams known as the Vikings, competing in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
In terms of admissions, WWU has seen a decrease in the number of freshmen in recent years, with 3,019 new freshmen enrolled in the fall of 2024. However, the university's overall enrollment has remained stable, with a total of 14,700 students in the fall of 2024. The university has a priority deadline of January 31 for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and it offers various financial aid programs to support its students.
While WWU does not publish specific numbers on the number of students admitted each quarter, it offers a quarter-based academic calendar with nearly 1,400 course sections each quarter. The university's total enrollment and academic offerings indicate that it admits a significant number of students each quarter to meet the demands of its academic programs and student population.
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WWU's enrollment trends
Western Washington University (WWU), a public university in Bellingham, Washington, was founded in 1893. The university has seen fluctuations in its enrollment numbers over the years, with various factors influencing admission trends.
In its early years, WWU began as a teachers' school, predominantly for women, with a small class of 88 students in 1899. The university underwent several name changes and experienced significant growth in the 1960s, with enrollment increasing from 3,000 to over 10,000 students during that decade. This growth continued, and in 2010–11, WWU had approximately 350 students participating in varsity sports, showcasing its expanding student body.
More recently, WWU's enrollment trends have been influenced by the pandemic and broader societal changes. In 2024, the university saw a decrease in freshman enrollment, with 3,019 new freshmen, down from the pre-pandemic total enrollment of around 16,000. Despite this, WWU maintained an overall stable enrollment of 14,700 students in 2024, including 806 graduate students. The university's total enrollment in 2022 was 14,747, with 13,801 undergraduate students.
Out-of-state enrollment at WWU reached a record high of 15.1% in 2024, indicating a shift in the student body's demographics. Additionally, financial aid has played a role in enrollment trends, with the university disbursing federal Pell Grants to a significant number of students in 2023 and 2024. WWU's priority deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is January 31, and the university also offers financial aid programs through the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
Looking ahead, WWU faces an "enrollment cliff" due to declining birth rates and fewer 18-year-olds, which will likely impact future enrollment numbers. Despite this challenge, the university remains committed to providing a high-quality, lower-cost education to students, with competitive tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students.
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WWU's financial aid applications
Western Washington University (WWU) offers a range of financial aid options to its students. Over 60% of students at WWU receive financial aid in various forms, including grants, tuition waivers, scholarships, student employment, and loans. The university encourages all applicants and students to apply for financial aid as soon as possible.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is a crucial application for financial aid at WWU. Students seeking federal or state financial aid, including need-based aid, must submit the FAFSA. WWU's priority deadline for the FAFSA is January 31, although students can apply at any time. Submitting the FAFSA after the priority deadline may delay the financial aid package. The FAFSA can be completed online at studentaid.gov, and WWU's Federal School Code, 003802, should be used.
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
The WASFA is an alternative for students who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA due to their immigration status. The Real Hope Act in Washington State allows eligible students to apply for the Washington College Grant using the WASFA. The WASFA is also relevant for undocumented students seeking state and institutional need-based aid.
Scholarships
WWU offers various scholarship opportunities. Students are automatically considered for merit-based and activity scholarships based on their application for admission. Additional scholarship information is available in the Scholarship Center. Scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit, talent, extracurricular activities, leadership, community involvement, and sometimes financial need. The Early Action deadline for scholarship applications is November 1, with notifications sent out as early as January.
Grants
Grants are a form of "free money" awarded to undergraduate students with high financial need as determined by the FAFSA. WWU participates in various grant programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Washington College Grant, Institutional Grants, and Tuition Waivers.
Loans
Loans are also available to students who have filed the FAFSA. Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans are accessible, with eligibility and loan amounts based on the FAFSA, class standing, and dependency information. It is important to note that loans must be repaid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students placed on financial aid suspension may appeal for aid reinstatement if unusual circumstances prevented them from meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements. Additionally, in cases of changed financial circumstances, a Professional Judgement (PJ) determination can be made to recalculate a student's aid eligibility.
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WWU's historical student numbers
Western Washington University (WWU), a public university in Bellingham, Washington, was founded in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School. The university adopted its current name in 1977.
The first official class at WWU entered in 1899 and was composed of 88 students. The university underwent a period of rapid growth in the 1960s, with its enrollment increasing from 3,000 students to over 10,000 during that decade.
In 2022, WWU's total enrollment was 14,747, including 13,801 undergraduate students and 804 graduate students. The university's undergraduate enrollment in fall 2023 was 13,704, while the graduate student population in fall 2023 remained above pre-pandemic levels at 806.
WWU's total enrollment in fall 2024 was 14,700, including 3,019 freshmen. The university's enrollment has remained stable post-pandemic, although it has not recovered to its pre-pandemic highs, which hovered near 16,000. Out-of-state enrollment at WWU has increased, reaching 15.1% in fall 2024, the highest in the university's history.
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