Willamette University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Willamette University is a private institution located in Salem, Oregon. For the most recent reporting cycle, Willamette University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1377. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,121 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Willamette University?

Willamette University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

SAT and ACT scores Willamette University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 600–710, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

How much does Willamette University actually cost?

Published tuition is $51,156 for in-state students and $51,156 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,150 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $25,121 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 24% of students receive Pell Grants.

Most popular majors at Willamette University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Willamette University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Psychology, General and Biology, General. Across all programs, Willamette University confers roughly 215 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $74,070 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is Willamette University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Willamette University disclosed 19 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 11.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 0 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Other colleges in Oregon parents ask about

• University of Oregon
  88% acceptance
• Oregon State University
  77% acceptance
• University of Portland
  89% acceptance
• Reed College
  25% acceptance
• Lewis & Clark College
  78% acceptance

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

• Seattle University
  77% acceptance · Washington
• University of North Dakota
  77% acceptance · North Dakota
• Mississippi State University
  78% acceptance · Mississippi

Common questions parents ask about Willamette University