Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington
Western Washington University is a public institution in Bellingham, Washington with 13,574 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $9,286 compared with a Washington nursing-school average of $12,913. The school reports a graduation rate of 65.5%, median earnings of $62,569, and median federal debt of $18,500.
$9,286 is lower than the state average of $12,913.
65.5% is higher than the state average of 45.3%.
$62,569 is higher than the state average of $48,006.
About Western Washington University
| Location | Bellingham, Washington |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | wwu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $9,286 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $27,853 |
| Total Enrollment | 13,574 |
| Acceptance Rate | 91.3% |
| Graduation Rate | 65.5% |
| Retention Rate | 79.7% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $62,569 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $196 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 20.8% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 28.2% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
20.8% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 28.2% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Western Washington University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $37,144, while the reported median debt is $18,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $196. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (69.4%), followed by Hispanic students (11.0%) and Asian students (5.8%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($62,569) divided by median debt ($18,500)