National Recognition

Western Washington University offers more than 200 academic programs on its main campus located in Bellingham, and at additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles and Poulsbo.

Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master’s-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Recent Awards

Top Public Schools

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#2 Best in the West

For the 25th 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 2024 U.S. News & World Report college rankings.

Military Friendly

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#13 in Best Colleges for Veterans

US News and World Report Rankings awarded Western Washington University #13 Best College for Veterans in their 2024 rankings.

Top Ranked Master’s Granting Institution

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#40 in the Nation

Washington Monthly identifies colleges that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating significant proportions of economically disadvantaged students 

Commitment to Student Success

#18 in the USA - Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management Program

Western Washington University is the #18 Ranked Program for Supply Chains in 2022. Curricula have mostly standardized, putting other criteria such as experiential learning and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in focus. The ranking includes 100% online programs, in addition to hybrid and on-campus programs.

Learn more about Western's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management program.

Doctoral Graduates

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#9 Nationally Ranked

Western ranks 9th nationally among master's granting institutions for the number of graduates who go on to earn research doctorate degrees.

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Western signs Okanagan Charter to join United States Health Promoting Campuses Network

As part of a comprehensive plan to improve student and employee health and wellbeing, Western Washington University has adopted the Okanagan Charter and joined the United States Health Promoting Campuses Network, an initial cohort of eight U.S. universities committed to becoming health-promoting institutions.  

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Western Ranks 40th among the country's universities

Washington Monthly ranks four-year schools (national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges, and master’s universities) based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and providing opportunities for public service.

Commitment to Equity and Justice

First-Gen Forward Designation

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2021-22 First-Gen Forward Designation

The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. 

Best Value

US News and World Report again placed WWU in its list of Best Value Colleges and Universities in 2023-2024, a testament to the consistent value the university offers.

Best for Vets

US News and World Report ranks Western #13 in the West - a region stretching from Texas to the Pacific - in its rankings of Best Schools for Veterans.

Community Engagement

Carnegie Community Engaged University

Western was given the Community Engagement classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its efforts to operate community-outreach programs, deepen students’ civic and academic learning and to enhance overall community well-being.

Sense of Place

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Silver Bicycle Friendly University

Western Washington University was recently named a Silver Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. The League of American Bicyclists, the premier grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike, has honored Western Washington University with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of Western’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. 

#3 Best Colleges For People Who Love The Outdoors

MONEY magazine ranks Western as third on its list of 10 Best Colleges for People Who Love the Great Outdoors.

#7 Best Colleges by the Sea

Western ranked No. 7 in a list of '50 Best Colleges by the Sea' by CollegeRankings.com

Bee Campus USA Affiliate

Western joins many other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program.