Willamette University

Salem, OR · Private · Midsize city

Private institution in Salem, OR · 1,525 undergraduates · 79% acceptance rate · $56,911 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Top 15%Average SAT
Top 17%Graduation rate (4-year)
Top 20%Full-time retention

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $23,6631,397th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $48,2681,802nd cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $48,2681,798th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $62,1121,729th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $21,500813th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $56,911695th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $38,9321,301st highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 72.7%341st highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 86.4%370th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 79.1%882nd most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: 1339150th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT: —

Campus

Undergraduates: 1,5251,099th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 12.0:1794th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 21.8%1,629th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 177 mi (SEA)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Most Selective Colleges in Oregon#6

Applying

EDNov 1
EANov 1
RDMay 15

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: Free
Personal essay: Required
Writing supplement: No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 35 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
EconomicsSocial Sciences	bachelors	$42,123	$39,909
SociologySocial Sciences	bachelors	$36,848	$24,267
ChemistryPhysical Sciences	bachelors	$35,330	$27,204
Political Science and GovernmentSocial Sciences	bachelors	$33,993	$36,848
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesEnglish Language & Literature	bachelors	$32,925	$25,658
Biology, GeneralBiological Sciences	bachelors	$30,228	$28,055
AnthropologySocial Sciences	bachelors	$27,476	$21,508
English Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language & Literature	bachelors	$26,353	$25,658
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsForeign Languages	bachelors	$26,121	$32,925
Communication and Media StudiesCommunications	bachelors	$25,774	—
History	bachelors	$24,421	$22,192
Health and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation & Fitness	bachelors	$24,035	$26,570

Campus facts

Founded in 1842source
Athletic nickname: "Bearcats"source
Competes in NCAA Division IIIsource
School colors: Cardinal and Goldsource
Mascot: Blitzsource
Motto: "Non nobis solum nati sumus (Latin)"source
Campus size: about 60 acressource
Formerly known as "Oregon Institute"source
Formerly known as "(1842–1852)"source
Formerly known as "Wallamet University"source
Formerly known as "(1852–1870)"source
Religious affiliation: Methodist Missionsource
Athletic conference: Northwestsource
Plays for the "Wagon Wheel{{cite web |date=Winter 2018|title=Pioneers Reclaim Wagon Wheel |url=https://www.lclark.edu/live/news/38183-pioneers-reclaim-wagon-wheel |website=L&C Magazine |access-date=October 7, 2025}}" (since 1948)source
Notable alum: Dale T. Mortensensource
Notable alum: Lisa Murkowskisource

Athletics — 14 sports

NCAA Division III with football · NCAA Division III

Athletic scholarships not allowed · Athletic aid $0 (M $0 · W $0)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport. Athletic scholarships are not allowed by association rule; non-athletic merit or need-based aid may still be available.