Exploring Western Washington University's Student Population

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,704 as of Fall 2023. The university's main campus is located on 215 acres in Bellingham, with additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. WWU offers over 200 academic programs and is recognised for its successes, including being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 consecutive years. The university has a diverse student body, with nearly 30% identifying as students of colour, and offers various extracurricular activities, including more than 250 student-run clubs and organisations.

Western Washington University's total student population

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university located in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It is the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. The university was founded in 1893 and has a long history of providing education to the region.

In terms of student population, WWU has seen an upward trajectory in recent years. As of Fall 2024, the university reported a total enrollment of 14,700 registered students, including 3,019 first-year students, which was the sixth-largest incoming class in the university's history. This increase in enrollment is a positive sign, especially after the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, WWU had already been experiencing growth. In Fall 2021, the university enrolled more than 15,000 students, and in 2022, the student population was reported to be 14,747, with 13,801 undergraduate students and 664 full-time faculty members. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 200 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree options.

WWU's main campus spans 215 acres in Bellingham, with additional academic locations in Anacortes, Everett, and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. The university is committed to providing a well-rounded education and encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities. With over 250 student-run clubs and organizations, students have ample opportunities to explore their interests beyond the classroom.

The student body at WWU is diverse, with an increasing percentage of students of colour. In Fall 2024, 29.9% of first-year students identified as students of colour, a slight increase from the previous year. The university also has a significant number of Washington residents, with 84% of the student population hailing from the state.

Undergraduate enrolment

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It is the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

WWU's undergraduate enrolment has fluctuated over the years, with the university attracting a large number of students to its academic programs. Here is a breakdown of WWU's undergraduate enrolment over time:

• In Fall 2023, WWU had a total undergraduate enrolment of 13,704 students, which is the most recent data for total undergraduate enrolment.
• In 2022, the university reported a total of 14,747 students, with 13,801 of them being undergraduate students.
• In the 2018-19 academic year, WWU's total student body exceeded 16,000, but the number of undergraduate students was not specified.
• In Fall 2021, the university enrolled more than 15,000 students, but again, the exact number of undergraduates was not provided.
• WWU's Fall 2023 first-year class consisted of 3,184 new students, which was the second-largest incoming class in the university's history.
• For Fall 2024, WWU enrolled 3,019 first-year students, marking its sixth-largest incoming class ever.

Academic programs and student life

WWU offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 200 bachelor's degrees available. The university's academic programs include popular choices such as Industrial Design, Early Childhood Education, and Canadian-American Studies. The Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies offers a unique, non-traditional education experience.

The university also boasts an impressive array of extracurricular activities, with over 250 student-run clubs and organisations. WWU's athletic teams, known as the Vikings, compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university's Women's Rowing team has won eight NCAA Division II national championships.

Demographics and diversity

The majority of WWU's student population consists of Washington residents, with 84-86% of students hailing from the state. The university has also reported an increasing trend in diversity, with nearly 30% of its overall student body identifying as students of colour in recent years. WWU is committed to increasing access and promoting diversity in its student body.

First-year student enrolment

Western Washington University, a public institution founded in 1893, has seen a rise in its total student population for the first time since the pandemic. The number of first-year students enrolled at Western Washington University for Fall 2024 is 3,019, making it the sixth-largest incoming class in the university's history. This follows the two largest first-year classes in 2022 and 2023.

The university offers various first-year academic programs to facilitate the transition of new students to college life. One such program is the Early Start: Viking Launch, which allows students to move in early and begin a credit-bearing course a week before the fall term. The First-Generation Navigational Seminars are another option for first-generation students to get a head start on campus life and resources. These seminars are fully funded and offer early housing onboarding, social activities, and academic support. New Student Experience Seminars are also available as stand-alone courses with limited enrollment, providing first-year students with a unique and engaging learning experience.

The total undergraduate enrollment at Western Washington University for Fall 2023 was 13,704, with a campus size of 220 acres. The university has a quarter-based academic calendar and offers a variety of housing options, including substance-free and all-gender communities. The majority of new students choose to live on campus, and 88% of first-year students reside in university residences.

The university has a holistic admissions process, with test scores being optional for application. Students can apply through the WWU Application or the Common App, with priority consideration given to applications submitted by January 31. The confirmation fee to secure admission is $350, although students with demonstrated financial need may postpone this payment.

Student demographics

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It is the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. The university's main campus is located on 215 acres in Bellingham, with additional academic locations in Anacortes, Everett, and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.

As of Fall 2024, WWU's total enrollment stands at 14,700 registered students, including 3,019 first-year students. This marks the third consecutive year of large incoming first-year classes at the university, with Fall 2023 seeing the second-largest incoming class in the university's history, comprising 3,184 new first-year students. The university's total enrollment in Fall 2023 was 14,651 registered students.

In terms of student demographics, the majority of WWU students are Washington residents, with 86% of the student body coming from the state as of 2023. The remaining 14% of students are from out of state or international students. Nearly 30% of Western's overall student body identifies as students of color, with a similar percentage of new first-year students identifying as students of color in Fall 2024 (29.9%) and Fall 2023 (29.8%).

The gender breakdown of the student body is not explicitly stated, but it is mentioned that 88% of first-year students live on campus their first year, while only 25% of transfer students do so. This suggests that the student body may skew towards a higher percentage of female students, as women are more likely to live on campus than male students.

The average age of WWU students is likely to be relatively young, as 92% of students are under 25 years of age, according to statistics from the 2018-19 academic year.

WWU offers a range of academic programs, with over 200 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree options available. The university is composed of several colleges, including the College of Business & Economics, College of Fine & Performing Arts, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Science & Engineering, College of the Environment, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Woodring College of Education.

Student enrolment trends

Western Washington University (WWU) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, founded in 1893. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as a few doctoral programmes.

WWU's student population has grown over the years, with the university reporting an increase in total enrolment in spring and fall 2024, marking a positive trajectory after the pandemic. The number of first-year students enrolled for fall 2024 was 3,019, making it the sixth-largest incoming class in the university's history. This follows WWU's largest-ever and second-largest first-year classes in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

In fall 2023, WWU had a total of 14,651 registered students, including 3,184 new first-year students, which was the second-largest incoming class ever. While the total enrolment is still recovering to pre-2020 levels, the overall trend is positive, with an 11% increase in first-year enrolment from fall 2021 and a 28% increase from fall 2020.

In fall 2021, WWU had more than 15,000 students enrolled, and in 2022, the student population was reported as 14,747, with 13,801 undergraduate students. The university's main campus in Bellingham has a capacity of 16,000 students, making it the third-largest university in Washington State.

The university's extended period of strong enrolment, with large incoming first-year classes, has contributed to the upward trend in total enrolment. WWU's academic offerings, vibrant community, and financial aid programmes are credited with attracting students and driving enrolment growth.

The university has also seen an increase in diversity, with nearly 30% of the overall student body identifying as students of colour in 2023, up from 29.8% in 2022. Additionally, WWU has a high retention rate, with 79% of first-year students from fall 2022 returning for fall 2023.

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