Willamette University was founded in 1842 as a forward-thinking, co-educational institution — its first graduate was a woman. The 81-acre campus is located in the center of Salem, across the street from the Oregon State Capitol building. This proximity has given generations of Willamette students the opportunity to participate in the important social and political issues of their day through internships and other direct action. The university motto, “Not Unto Ourselves Alone Are We Born,” provides the underpinnings for a campus culture that is committed to service and making a difference in the world. Among the campus organizations that reflect this commitment are the Council for Diversity and Social Justice and the Council for Sustainability.

# of degree-seeking undergraduates                      1,864
% male/female                                                             46/54
% African-American                                                            2
% American Indian or Alaska Native                               1
% Asian or Pacific Islander                                               8
% Hispanic                                                                           4
% White                                                                               56
% Pell grant recipients                                                     18

Distinguished first-generation and minority alums Lin Sue Glass Cooley, evening news anchor, KPNX-TV; Ricardo Baez, vice president for marketing and sales, partner, Puentes Brothers Don Pancho Foods; Harold Sublett, Jr., commercial banker, Wells Fargo Bank; Danny Santos, labor policy adviser to the governor, Oregon; Carmen Bendixon, former fellow and staffer, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)

full-time faculty                                      207
full-time minority faculty                         29
student-faculty ratio                             10:1
average class size                                 14
% first-year retention rate                      86
% graduation rate (6 years)                  71

Popular majors Biology, Economics, English

 

% live on campus                                                                  72 (98)

Multicultural student clubs and organizations Alianza, Hawaii Club, Native American Enlightenment Association, Black Student Organization, Unidos por Fin

Athletics NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference; baseball, m/w basketball, m/w cross country, football, m/w golf, m/w rowing, m/w soccer, softball, m/w swimming, m/w tennis, m/w track and field, volleyball More on Athletics…

 

# of applicants                                                                      3,501
% accepted                                                                                 76
# of first-year students enrolled                                            509
SAT Critical Reading range                                           570-680
SAT Math range                                                                550-660
SAT Writing range                                                            550-660
ACT range                                                                              25-29
average HS GPA                                                                       3.7
Deadlines
regular decision                                                                        2/1
application fee (online)                                                $50 ($50)
fee waiver for applicants
        with financial need                                                           yes 

 

COST & AID
tuition                                                                                 $35,610
room & board                                                                      $8,350
total need-based institutional
     scholarships/grants                                            $23,564,675
% of students apply for
     need-based aid                                                                     77
% of students receive aid                                                         75
% receiving need-based scholarship
     or grant aid
% receiving aid whose need was fully met                           23
average aid package                                                       $27,374
average student loan debt upon
     graduation                                                                     $24,465