Western Washington University

 

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Western Washington University


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School Location

  
Western Washington University
516 High St
Bellingham, WA 98225-9008		 General information
 (360) 650-3430

Type of institution: Public, 4-year or above
Federal Aid: Institution has a Program Participation Agreement with the US Department of Education for eligible students to receive Pell Grants and other federal aid.
Degrees offered: Bachelor degrees, Masters degrees
Carnegie classification: Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
Number of students: 14,276 (2007)
2009-2008 Undergraduate application fee:$ 50

About this School
Western Washington University (also referred to as WWU or Western) is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees. Western has consistently ranked among the top schools in its category and according to US News and World Report's ranking, is the number 2 public master’s-granting school in the western region USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2006: Universities-Master's (West): Top Publics, while placed 18th overall (both public and private). The university is noted for its orientation to teaching and the liberal arts, Vehicle Research Institute (once noted by Automobile Magazine as "very possibly the best school in the country for total car design"), and Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Also, the Philosophical Gourmet Report mentions Western as having one of the best philosophy departments among colleges and universities that only offer a B.A. in the discipline The Philosophical Gourmet Report 2004 - 2006 :: Undergraduate Study.
 
History
Western was established on February 24, 1893 as the New Whatcom Normal School, a teacher's college for women, after Governor John McGraw signed legislation. The first class entered in 1899, composed of 88 students. The institution that is now Western Washington University has since undergone several name changes. In 1901, the school's name was changed to State Normal School at Whatcom to reflect New Whatcom's name change. Again, in 1904, the name was changed to Washington State Normal School at Bellingham when the townships of Whatcom and Fairhaven joined, and again in 1937, to Western Washington College of Education when it became a 4-year university. Twenty-four years later it became Western Washington State College and finally, in 1977, the institution gained university status. The 1960s was a period of especially rapid growth for Western, as its enrollment increased from 3,000 students to over 10,000 during the decade. Also during this time, Fairhaven College was founded (1967), with non-traditional education methods that would serve as a model for The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Two years later, the Huxley College of the Environmental was founded, continuing Western's trend toward "cluster" colleges. That same year, on a spring afternoon, students gained headlines by blocking Interstate 5 to protest the Vietnam War. Since this period, the College of Arts and Sciences was founded (1973) and divided into the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the College of Sciences & Technology (2003); the College of Fine and Performing Arts was formed from several art departments (1975); and the College of Business and Economics was established (1976). During the 1999-2000 school year, Western celebrated its Centennial. Today, WWU has a major presence in Bellingham's economy, and contributes significantly to the political social, and artistic aspects of the city. With a student body that currently consists of over 12,000 students, and a faculty including such luminaries as David Hartenstine and Stephen McDowall, the university is the third largest in Washington. Dr. Karen Williams Morse has been serving WWU since 1993 as the University's 12th president.
 
Academic year prices for full-time, first-time undergraduate students
Tuition and Fees2009-20082008-20072007-2006
In-State$ 5,535$ 5,291$ 5,003
Out of State$ 17,166$ 16,365$ 15,550
Books and Supplies$ 969$ 963$ 924
On-Campus
Room and board$ 7,712$ 7,090$ 6,785
Other Expenses$ 2,973$ 3,003$ 3,084
Off Campus
Room and board$ 7,446$ 7,152$ 6,852
Other Expenses$ 2,973$ 3,003$ 3,084
Off Campus w/ family
Other Expenses$ 2,757$ 2,739$ 2,991

Financial aid 2006-2007

Financial aid to full-time, first-time undergraduate students

Type of AidPercentage of students receiving aidAverage amount of aid they received
Federal Grants (scholarship/fellowship) 14% $ 3,107
State/Local grants (scholarship/fellowship) 14% $ 3,418
Institutional grants (scholarship/fellowship) 39% $ 2,049
Loans to students 40% $ 3,351
 
End of file for Western Washington University.