Western Washington University Ranks Top 10 in State for Value

Western Washington University in Bellingham has received high marks in national assessments that measure student success, cost, and post-graduation earnings. The university’s standing reflects its performance across multiple categories, including access, affordability, and the long-term benefits of a degree.

The most recent data shows the institution ranked 65th nationally in Washington Monthly’s 2025 Master’s University Rankings. This position was driven by specific metrics such as a 72 percent eight-year graduation rate, which placed the school third in Washington. The university also secured the 69th spot nationally for affordability. According to the publication, the median earnings for Western graduates stood at $52,116 nine years after they entered college.

Washington Monthly also identified Western as the state’s top public higher education institution for public service. This distinction accounts for graduates who join AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, as well as students who enroll in majors focused on service, such as social work. The ranking system also tracks the university's efforts to encourage student voting participation.

The school’s value proposition is further supported by WalletHub’s 2027 College and University Rankings. Western placed sixth among Washington institutions in a national assessment of nearly 740 schools. WalletHub evaluates colleges using 30 different measures, ranging from cost and financing to faculty resources and career outcomes.

Earlier this fall, U.S. News and World Report named Western the best value among the state’s regional universities in its annual rankings. These consistent placements in multiple independent studies provide a snapshot of the university's current standing in the national higher education market.