Washington State University

What's special

• WSU's Cougar Commitment covers tuition and mandatory fees for Washington residents from low- or middle-income families who receive the Washington College Grant or a Pell Grant.

  Source: Affordability | Washington State University

• Washington State uses the University Writing Portfolio, a mid-career check of whether each student's writing is ready for advanced-level courses.

  Source: University Writing Portfolio (UWP) - The Writing Program

• The Cougar Commitment covers tuition and mandatory fees for Washington residents from low- or middle-income families receiving Pell or state grants.

  Source: Affordability | Washington State University | Washington State ...

Written by us from the linked sources and checked against them on November 5, 2026. Programs and policies change, so confirm details with the school.

Getting in

Admit rate

87%About 9 in 10 applicants get in.Source: College Scorecard

Test policy

Test-blindScores are not considered, even if you send them.Source: College Scorecard

SAT (middle 50%)

Not reportedSource: College Scorecard

ACT (middle 50%)

Not reportedSource: College Scorecard

What it really costs

Most families pay less than the sticker price. Net price is what's left after grants and scholarships.

Average net price

$13,462full-time first-years who got grant aidSource: College Scorecard

Total cost of attendance

$27,914sticker price incl. housing, per yearSource: College Scorecard

Tuition, in-state

$13,888Source: College Scorecard

Tuition, out-of-state

$30,994Source: College Scorecard

After you enroll

Graduation rate

62%first-time, full-time students finishing within 6 yearsSource: College Scorecard

Came back for year two

78%full-time first-year studentsSource: College Scorecard

Median earnings

$72,28010 years after starting, for students who got federal aidSource: College Scorecard

Median debt at graduation

$18,500federal loans, students who finishedSource: College Scorecard

Students

Undergraduates

21,099Source: College Scorecard

Receive Pell grants

35%a sign of economic diversitySource: College Scorecard

First-generation students

34%parents didn't go beyond high schoolSource: College Scorecard

Similar schools

Also worth a look

• Utah State University Logan, UT — admits 92%
• Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA — admits 90%
• Montclair State University Montclair, NJ — admits 88%
• University of Mississippi University, MS — admits 97%
• San Jose State University San Jose, CA — admits 85%
• George Mason University Fairfax, VA — admits 87%