About Western Washington University (WWU)
We Are Western
All About WWU
Explore your full potential at Western Washington University. We are committed to delivering our students a rigorous, world-class academic curriculum, impactful hands-on learning, and a unique community that fosters creativity, community engagement and inclusive success.
Who We Are
Western at a Glance
- Established in 1893
- 200+ undergraduate programs
- 40+ graduate programs
- 250+ student organizations and clubs
- 90% Western alumni are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation
- Top master’s-granting institution in the Pacific Northwest for 23 years in a row.
Our Mission and Values
As a public comprehensive institution dedicated to serving the people of Washington State, we uphold certain values that contribute to our academic excellence, inclusive achievements, and positive impact in the state and the world. These include:
- Commitment to student success, critical thought, creativity, and sustainability.
- Commitment to equity and justice, and respect for the rights and dignity of others.
- Pursuit of excellence in an environment characterized by principles of shared governance, academic freedom, and effective engagement.
- Integrity, responsibility, and accountability in all our work.
Serving the State of Washington
As Washington's third largest public university, Western Washington University is a beacon of higher education, offering a comprehensive array of academic programs at our main campus in Bellingham, as well as at other sites across the State.
Create new communities on our main campus in Bellingham, pursue your goals through one of our research centers and satellite locations in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo, or take advantage of flexible learning opportunities through our fully accredited WesternOnline programs!
Western Washington University also serves the State of Washington through partnerships with community colleges and community centers. By maximizing the strengths of the university with communities in the Puget Sound and the Central Salish Sea regions, Western helps families across the state reach their educational goals.
National Recognition
Rankings and Awards
Western students are known across the country and around the world as prestigious Fulbright Scholars, Peace Corps volunteers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings Scholars, and sought-after applicants for top jobs and doctorate programs.
Over the past decade, more than 100 Fulbright, Goldwater, Hollings and National Science Foundation Fellowships and other national and international awards have been awarded to Western students.
Recent Awards
Top Public Schools
For the 26th year in a row, Western Washington University is one of the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting universities in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
Military Friendly
US News and World Report Rankings awarded Western Washington University #13 Best College for Veterans in their 2025 rankings.
Top Washington University for Transfer Students
The U.S. Department of Education has named Western the top four-year institution in the state for bachelor's degree completion rates among transfer students receiving federal financial aid (73 percent, Department of Education, 2023).
Athletics
Western's athletics program offers a platform for both individual and team sports, promoting excellence and sportsmanship. Beyond the field, our athletics programs prioritize holistic student-athlete development.
Recent Victories
- Women's Soccer: 2022 NCAA Division II National Champions
- Softball: 2024 NCAA Final Four and National Runners-Up
- Women's
Rowing: 2024 NCAA Division II National Champions - All Around: 2023 Great Northwest Athletic Conference's All-Sports Champion
Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a dedicated fan, or simply appreciate college sports, we encourage you to explore our programs and join us in the thrill of victory. Go Vikings!
A Leader in Sustainability
Western Washington University is renowned for its steadfast commitment to sustainability, exemplified by our ranking as one of the nation's top 15 green colleges.
Through innovative initiatives, comprehensive waste reduction programs, and a strong emphasis on renewable energy sources, Western Washington University has established itself as a leader in environmentally conscious practices within higher education.
Read our Commitment to Sustainability
Engage with WWU’s sustainability-focused culture. We dedicate resources to green buildings and renewable energy projects, spearhead institution-wide zero waste commitments, integrate ecological justice practices into everyday life on campus, and support equitable and sustainable advancement across the Salish Sea region.
A Student-Centered University
Academic Excellence
Explore your interests in more than 200 academic programs and competitive research opportunities alongside expert faculty. The U.S. News & World Report names us the Best Value College and the #2 Best Public School in the West—for good reason!
A University for Wave Makers
Design a net-zero-energy tiny house. Broadcast your latest music mix. Publish your research in Scientific Reports. Animate a larger-than-life display on the walls of downtown Bellingham. Create the world’s first transparent solar window. Win an Oscar.
Life at Western is about ambition, passion, problem-solving, and world-changing—it’s about turning ripples into waves with the help of expert faculty, invested classmates, and a community that looks together toward a brighter future.
Admissions
Learn more about WWU application timelines, tuition and financial aid guidance, and opportunities to deepen your university experience through research projects, student organizations, internships, study abroad programs, the Honors College, and more.
Student Life
Find your people in your residence hall, dining halls, student organizations, fitness classes, study groups, and so much more! Our campus events and dynamic array of student-led activities help you make the most of each moment at Western—from the classroom to Red Square and everywhere in between.
Leadership
WWU Leadership
At Western Washington University, we're committed to an inclusive community that merges academic excellence with social responsibility.
Through shared governance, we collaborate with students, faculty, staff and trustees to move us forward. By nurturing interdisciplinary collaboration, we're equipping students to solve global challenges and create a better world.
Learn more about our leadership by visiting the President’s Office website, or review the 2022 President's Report.
President Sabah Randhawa
Sabah Randhawa began service as the 14th President of Western Washington University on August 1, 2016. He draws on more than three decades of distinguished service in higher education as an educator and an academic leader.
Randhawa’s top priority at Western has been advancing student success and inclusive excellence. Among the many things that drew him to Western are its strong retention and graduation rates, which he sees as a foundation for advancing the success of more underrepresented students in the State of Washington and beyond.
Find Out More
Visit Campus
Immerse yourself in the exciting events and stunning, tree-lined beauty of campus on a visit day, campus tour, or through our virtual tour options! Many of our WWU tours connect you with a current student, meaning you can ask questions and get to know what life on campus is really like.