Willamette University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Willamette University is a private research university in Salem, Oregon, enrolling about 1,592 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 77.09% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $56,911 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $51,156
- 2024 Average Net Price: $25,121 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 77.09% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,592 99.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 71.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 19.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 6.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 18.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 69.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1377
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,745
- Applicants (IPEDS): 4,107
- Room & Board: $16,150 annual estimate
Willamette University: what the data shows
Common questions about Willamette University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Willamette University?
Willamette University is located in Salem, OR (ZIP 97301).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Willamette University public or private?
Willamette University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Willamette University cost?
Published tuition: $51,156.
Average net price after aid: $25,121.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $16,182 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $16,825 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,225 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,382 |
| $110,001+ | $33,794 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $204,624.
How hard is it to get into Willamette University?
Admission rate: 77.09%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1377.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Willamette University?
Total enrollment: 1,592 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,745 students.
Graduate enrollment: 519 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Willamette University?
150%-time completion rate: 71.24%.
First-year retention: 86.5%.
What do graduates of Willamette University earn?
Median earnings: $38,932 six years after entry; $56,911 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
23.55% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Willamette University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Law (110 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (83 completions)
- Data Science, General (41 completions)
- Economics, General (32 completions)
- American Government and Politics (United States) (31 completions)
- Psychology, General (20 completions)
- Environmental Science (19 completions)
- Computer Science (18 completions)
- Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis (17 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (17 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Willamette University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 77.09%; completion rate 71.24%; median earnings $56,911 at 10 years; net price $25,121. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$51,156
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Willamette University was $51,156.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$25,121
2024 Value
In 2024 Willamette University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $25,121.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$100,484 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$25,121 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$204,624 4-Year Tuition
$16,150 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,222 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$68,528 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$274,112 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Willamette University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
23.55% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
39.34% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Willamette University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Willamette University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $42,305 | $42,305 | $30,312 |
| 2014 | $44,076 | $44,076 | $28,009 |
| 2015 | $45,617 | $45,617 | $29,770 |
| 2016 | $47,217 | $47,217 | $29,718 |
| 2017 | $48,158 | $48,158 | $28,327 |
| 2018 | $50,279 | $50,279 | $29,386 |
| 2019 | $52,290 | $52,290 | $31,961 |
| 2020 | $53,834 | $53,834 | $34,294 |
| 2021 | $44,234 | $44,234 | $32,819 |
| 2022 | $45,260 | $45,260 | $28,978 |
| 2023 | $48,268 | $48,268 | $23,663 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
77.09% Acceptance Rate
4,107 Total Applicants
3,249 Students Admitted
504 First-Time Students Enrolled
15.51% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1377
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.5 - 3.7
Estimated Median GPA: 3.60
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Willamette University reported total enrollment of about 1,592 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (65.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.9%), and Two or More Races (8.7%). About 23.55% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 19.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
99.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Willamette University in 2024 is 1,592 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,745 students. Graduate enrollment is about 519 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
86.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 65.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
62.18% 100% Completion Time
71.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 62.18% of students graduating from Willamette University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Law: 45% male / 55% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 54% male / 46% female
- Data Science, General: 71% male / 29% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Willamette University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$56,911 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
37.78% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
466.37% Return on Investment
3.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Willamette University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 36 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Law: 110 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 83 completions
3. Data Science, General: 41 completions
4. Economics, General: 32 completions
5. American Government and Politics (United States): 31 completions
6. Psychology, General: 20 completions
7. Environmental Science: 19 completions
8. Computer Science: 18 completions
9. Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis: 17 completions
Most popular programs at Willamette University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Willamette University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Willamette University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 69.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,083
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $15,686
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Willamette University is a private non-profit institution located in Salem, OR, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Law, Business Administration and Management, General, Data Science, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,592 students. Student body composition includes White (65.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.9%), Two or More Races (8.7%). The admission rate is 77.09%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1377. The 150%-time completion rate is 71.24%. Approximately 23.55% of students receive Pell Grants. About 19.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Salem, OR 97301
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Willamette University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Willamette University located?
Willamette University is located in Salem, OR.
What is Willamette University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Willamette University is 77.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,107 applicants and 3,249 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Willamette University cost?
Reported tuition is $51,156 and average net price is $25,121 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,150 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Willamette University?
Willamette University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,745 students, White (65.0%), Hispanic or Latino (14.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Willamette University?
About 19.2% of students at Willamette University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Willamette University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Willamette University reports midpoint SAT about 1377.
What do graduates of Willamette University earn?
Median earnings are $38,932 six years after entry and $56,911 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Willamette University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 71.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Willamette University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Willamette University public or private?
Willamette University is a private nonprofit institution located in Salem, OR.
Is Willamette University an HBCU?
No. Willamette University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Willamette University a tribal college?
No. Willamette University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Oregon college costs
- Oregon colleges by ROI
- Salem, Oregon city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Oregon
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.