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 26 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
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 Ranked Master’s Granting Institution
Washington Monthly identifies colleges that are successful at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating significant proportions of economically disadvantaged students
#13 in the USA - Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management Program
Western Washington University is the #13 Ranked Program for Supply Chains in 2024. Gartner, Inc. has released the findings from its biennial Top 25 North American Supply Chain Undergraduate and Graduate Programs report, and WWU's Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management program moved up five spots nationally, from 18th to the 13th, since last year among undergraduate programs.
Learn more about Western's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management program.
Doctoral Graduates
Western ranks 3rd nationally among master's granting institutions for the number of graduates who go on to earn research doctorate degrees.
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.
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.
First-Gen Forward Designation
The FirstGen Forward Network offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions.
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.
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.
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.