Western Washington University (WWU) vs App State
Western Washington University and Appalachian State University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Western Washington, located in Bellingham, Washington, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to Appalachian State's 73%. With a larger student body, Western Washington offers a more diverse range of majors, including popular choices like Business Administration, Psychology, and Biology. Appalachian State, situated in Boone, North Carolina, excels in programs such as Business, Education, and Health Professions. While Western Washington's graduation rate stands at 59%, Appalachian State's is slightly higher at 62%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Appalachian State University |
![]() Western Washington University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boone, North Carolina | Bellingham, Washington |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.7% | 96.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
|
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 1130 - 1300 | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | 24 - 29 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 21,120 | 10,580 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,886 | 10,167 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,099 | 2,874 |
Yield rate | 22.9% | 28.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,220
Out of state:
$37,827
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In state:
$26,634
Out of state:
$43,861
|
Average net price | $12,735 | $11,388 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,242
Out of state:
$19,849
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In state:
$7,572
Out of state:
$24,799
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,595
Meal plan:
$4,086
|
$13,079 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
54.0%
Average amount $7,652 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,054 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,929 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $12,285 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,555
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
2,086
Men 29.6% Women 70.4% |
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 10.5% | N/A |
International students | 0.5% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,971 | 3,985 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina South Carolina Virginia Georgia Florida | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.7% | 67.7% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 18.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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