Washington State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Washington State University · Pullman, Washington · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-blind
- 26,403
- Applicants
- 22,732
- Admitted86%
- 4,420
- Enrolled
- 19%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access86% admittedRanked #191 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #78 (tie), Business Programs #83 (tie), Computer Science #103 (tie), Nursing #56 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Washington State University (see the source), read on 2026-09-24.
Is Washington State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Washington State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Washington State is a public university in Pullman, Washington that admits about 86% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,971 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 63% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Washington State is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. For the most recent reporting cycle, Washington State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 86%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,971 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Washington State?
50% of enrolled students at Washington State had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.46, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
Compare Washington State with the other schools on your list
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What does Washington State weight in admissions?
Washington State reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Considered
6- Application essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
10- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Recommendations
- Interview
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Washington State typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: Washington State does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • SAT/ACT not required and not used in admission decisions.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Washington State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Washington State actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,391 for in-state students and $29,950 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,622 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,971 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $12,063 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $29,734 |
| Room and board | $15,245 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,971 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 62% |
| Average need-based grant | $16,069 |
| Average merit award, no financial need1,312 first-year students received one | $5,300 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 44% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $24,924 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Washington State
Will my child graduate from Washington State?
These predict outcomes at Washington State better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Washington State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Washington State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. Across all programs, Washington State confers roughly 2,407 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $56,856 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 466 | $56,856 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 370 | $84,931 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 301 | n/a |
| Mechanical Engineering | 265 | $92,146 |
| Biology, General | 256 | $63,464 |
| Marketing | 255 | $82,094 |
| Social Sciences, General | 250 | $59,442 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 244 | $82,433 |
Is Washington State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Washington State disclosed 49 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 12 violent offenses and 20 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Washington State?
About 26% of undergraduates at Washington State live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 18% of men join a fraternity and 19% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Washington parents ask about
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Next steps for Washington State
Common questions parents ask about Washington State
What GPA do I need for Washington State?
50% of enrolled students at Washington State had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.46, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Washington State typically admit?
Washington State is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does Washington State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Washington State after grants and scholarships is $14,971 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,391 and $29,950 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Washington State realistic for my child?
Washington State admits 86% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $14,971 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Washington State?
Washington State accepts about 86% of applicants out of roughly 26,403 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Washington State test-optional?
Washington State is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at Washington State?
About 63% of students at Washington State graduate within six years, and 44% finish in four years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Washington State look for in applicants?
Washington State rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Washington State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Washington State is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington.
What are the most popular majors at Washington State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Washington State by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. The school awards about 2,407 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Washington State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Washington State reported 49 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Washington State?
At Washington State, 26% of undergraduates live on campus, 18% of men are in fraternities, 19% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Washington State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers