Established in 1842, Willamette University was the first university in the West. It is now a full grown private institution serving 1,868 students. The student body has around 71% out of state students and 7% international students. It is one of the leading institutions for liberal arts and sciences in the U.S. The university provides undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in Arts and Sciences, Business and Management, Computation and Data Science, Law, Art and Design.
Admissions to Willamette University take place in the Fall and Spring semesters. Undergraduate applicants can apply through the Common Application while graduate applicants can complete the online application available on the university website. There is no application fee for both applications. The deadline for undergraduate admission in Fall is January 15 and the Spring deadline is November 1. Graduate programs have varying deadlines while some programs accept applications on a rolling basis. SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission to undergraduate programs. Graduate applicants must submit GRE or GMAT scores for admission to MBA programs while LSAT scores are required for entry to the College of Law programs. Recommendations play an important role in admission to Willamette University. The acceptance rate for fall undergraduate admission was 80%.
The tuition fee for undergraduate programs of the College of Art and Sciences is 43,500 USD. The MBA program tuition fee is 44,900 USD and the tuition fee for College of Law programs is 47,130 USD. The financial aid packages of the university combine scholarships, loans, grants, work-study and need-based aid. International students are eligible to receive merit-based and competitive scholarships. The university has a residential campus that offers on-campus accommodation to students with rent ranging between 3,575 USD to 4,625 USD.
Willamette University is ranked among the top Oregon schools in the U.S. News and World Report and also among the “Top Performers on Social Mobility” and “Best Value Schools”. Princeton Review has also recognized Willamette among “Best Value Colleges” for quality of education, affordability and alumni success after graduation. Willamette University has made its mark among the top private universities in the Pacific Northwest.
Willamette University Rankings
The latest rankings of Willamette University are as follows:
- The university ranked in the following 3 categories in the U.S. News and World Report:
- #72 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
- #97 in Best Value Schools
- #103 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
- In THE rankings, the university ranked 155th in the U.S. College Rankings.
Highlights
Type of Establishment | Private |
Location | Salem, Oregon |
Campus Setting | Urban |
Mode of Program | Full-time/ Part-time |
Total Enrollment | 1,868 |
% of International Students | 7% |
Application Portal | UG: Common Application; PG: Online Application |
Application Fees | None |
Test Score Accepted | SAT/ ACT/ GRE/ GMAT |
Basic Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students | 43,500 USD |
Basic Tuition Fee for International Graduate Students | 44,900 USD |
Financial Aid | Scholarships |
Official Website | https://willamette.edu/ |
Willamette University Campus
The main campus of Willamette University is located next to the State Capitol in Salem.
- The university has a campus in downtown Portland which is home to the Pacific Northwest College of Art that offers undergraduate programs in arts and design.
- The College of Art campus is home to 13 labs and facilities and 15 art galleries and museums.
- The Theatre department of the university organizes three to four plays, dance concerts and various student organized projects throughout the year.
- The university has an active athletic participation and utilizes facilities such as Cone Field House, Sparks Fitness Center, Spec Keene Stadium, McCulloch Stadium, etc.
- Students in Salem can hike at the Silver Falls State Park, enjoy Oregon’s scenic coastline or mountain or river adventure, walk through the streets of Hawthorne District or indulge in the summer concert in Salem’s Riverfront Park among a myriad of other activities.
Willamette University Accommodation
Willamette University offers various housing options in the Eastside Area, Westside Area and Kaneko Commons.
- First year students are offered accommodation in Baxter Hall, Belknap Hall, Cascadia House, Matthews Hall, Northwood Hall, Southwood Hall, Westwood Hall and Terra House.
- The 4th floor of Baxter Hall and the Matthews Hall are reserved for women only.
- Westwood Hall is a male-only accommodation for first year students.
- The rooms in residence halls feature bed, desk and chair, dresser, closet space, bookcase, blinds, data port, smoke detector, etc.
- The residence halls provide various facilities such as coin-operated laundry, full kitchen, bike storage, lounge spaces, common area, vending machine, Wi-Fi connection, etc.
The room rates are given in the table below:
Residence Hall | Rates per Semester (in USD) |
---|---|
Standard Single | 4,075 |
Standard Double | 3,575 |
Standard Triple | 3,835 |
Single with Private Bathroom | 4,400 |
Double with Private Bathroom | 3,750 |
Double with Private Bathroom and Kitchenette | 4,200 |
Kaneko Single with Private Bathroom | 4,625 |
Kaneko Single with Shared Bathroom | 4,175 |
Kaneko Double with Private Bathroom | 3,850 |
Kaneko 3-Bedroom Suite with Shared Bathroom | 4,200 |
Double as a Single | 4,400 |
Willamette University Programs
Willamette University offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels in arts and sciences, business, management, computation, data science, art and design.
- Programs offered by Willamette University are organized into 5 colleges and schools:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Law
- Atkinson Graduate School of Management
- Computing and Data Sciences
- Pacific Northwest College of Art
- The university offers outstanding undergraduate programs in art history and studio art.
- It is home to the oldest law school in the Northwest that offers programs in Business Law, Public Service, International Law, Health Law and Advocacy.
- The university is top ranked in Oregon for its graduate programs that include MBA, MS in Data Science, MA and MFA in writing, arts, critical studies, etc.
- The Computing and Data Sciences division provides the most in-demand majors with an opportunity to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just 4 years.
- Some of the most popular majors offered by the university include Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Natural Resources and Conservation among others.
- The Claremont School of Theology and Tokyo International University are affiliated schools of the university.
Willamette University Admission Process
Willamette University accepts applications for the fall and spring semesters. Application for admission is free and can be submitted online. The university has a less selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 80% (as of fall).
How to Apply?
Details of the process of admission to Willamette University are summarized below:
Application Portal: Undergraduate - Common Application; Graduate - Online Application
Application Fee: None mentioned
Application Deadline:
The application deadline for international undergraduate students are given in the table below:
Admission Event | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
---|---|---|
Application Deadline | January 15 | November 1 |
Document Submission Deadline | January 22 | November 1 |
Admission Decision | March 1 | December 1 |
Enrollment Deposit | May 1 | January 1 |
Admission Requirements:
The following documents must be submitted along with the application for admission to undergraduate programs:
- Academic records from secondary and post-secondary institutions attended
- School Report Forms and Recommendations
- SAT/ ACT scores or apply for test-optional admission
- Teacher Evaluation (optional)
- English language proficiency test scores
- Copy of photo ID page of passport
- Financial Guarantee Statement
The requirements for admission to graduate programs are as follows:
- A completed bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited institution
- At least 3 years of full-time, professional work experience for admission to the MBA program
- Official transcripts of all previous academic coursework
- Personal statement
- Professional resume with details of achievements and awards
- Letters of recommendation
- Admission interview
- GMAT or GRE scores for MBA program
English Language Requirements
International students must submit one of the following test scores as proof of English language proficiency for admission to Willamette University:
Willamette University Cost of Attendance
The annual undergraduate tuition and fee for the College of Arts and Science students at Willamette University are given below:
Expense | Amount (in USD) |
---|---|
Tuition | 43,500 |
Fees | 856 |
Health Insurance | 3,966 |
Room and Board | 13,700 |
Books and Supplies | 1,042 |
Total | 63,064 |
The tuition and fees for full-time programs offered at the College of Law are as follows:
Expense | Amount (in USD) |
---|---|
Tuition | 47,130 |
Fees | 390 |
Living Expenses | 17,352 |
CAFES Fee | 50 |
Books and Supplies | 1,784 |
Health Insurance | 3,966 |
Total | 70,672 |
The table given below represents the cost of attendance for the full-time MBA program at Willamette University:
Expense | Amount (in USD) |
---|---|
Tuition | 44,900 |
Fees | 390 |
Health Insurance | 3,358 |
Living Expenses | 15,000 |
Books and Supplies | 1,200 |
Total | 64,848 |
Willamette University Financial Aid
Around 99% of the students at Willamette University receive financial aid in some form. The university has dedicated over 42 million USD in institutional scholarships.
- The university offers various merit-based and competitive scholarships to students.
- All admitted undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships up to 20,000 USD at the time of admission.
- Competitive scholarships in music, debate, theatre and STEM are awarded following a competitive application and selection process.
Name of Scholarship | Eligibility | Value (in USD) |
---|---|---|
Willamette Merit Scholarships for First-Year Students | Applicants seeking admission to the university as a first year student will be considered for this scholarship based on academic performance and other factors of the candidate’s application. | 20,000 |
STEM Scholarships | Awarded to students participating in biology, chemistry, computer science, exercise and health science, mathematics or physics programs | 8,150 USD |
Debate Scholarships | Recipients are selected on the basis of the Debate Scholarship application and interview with the debate coach. | Varies |
Music Scholarships | Candidate is selected on the basis of the Music Scholarship application and recorded video audition. | Varies |
Theatre Scholarships | Recipients are chosen on the basis of Theatre Scholarship application and audition or portfolio review. | Varies |
Arts Scholarships | Awarded to students who demonstrate potential in studio art mediums, declare an art minor and contribute to a studio art program. | Varies |
- Partial merit scholarships are awarded to LLM applicants at the time of admission based on previous academic records and professional experience.
- International students may also be eligible for private scholarships to study in the U.S.
Willamette University Alumni
Willamette University proudly boasts of being home to a Nobel prize winner, 11 Oregon Supreme Court Justices, 27 Governors, Senators and Representatives and more than 1,800 future leaders. Among the university’s alumni are notable artists, scientists, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and changemakers.
- The alumni network of the university comprises over 30,000 members. Some notable alumni of Willamette University are:
- Jay Inslee - Governor of Washington
- Mark Hatfield - Former United States Senator
- Paul De Muniz - Former Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
- Lisa Murkowski - United States Senator
- Virginia Linder - Former Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
- The benefits available to Willamette alumni are as follows:
- Employee Store Pass for Nike, Adidas and Columbia
- Full access to the Mark O. Hatfield Library
- Monthly offers and discounts from Dell
- Discounted membership of the Sparks Athletic Center
- Opportunity to attend undergraduate classes through the Academic Listener Program
- 20% discount on Hallie Ford Museum membership
- Benefits from the Alumni Travel Insurance Program
- Estate Planning
- Virtual alumni events through virtual lectures, videos, podcasts, etc.
- Access to alumni networking tools
Willamette University Placements
The Career Development Center of Willamette University helps students in job and internship search, resume and cover letter writing, polishing interview skills, etc. Students can also access career communities and specific career resources that help in networking and also shortlist graduate and professional schools.
- 84% of the graduates of the Atkinson Graduate School of Management received a job offer within 3 months from graduation.
- Some of the top employers of MBA graduates are Accenture, Adidas, Amazon, Apple Computer, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, Ford, Hewlett Packard, Hitachi Consulting, Intel Corporation, Johnson and Johnson, Microsoft, Nike, Starbucks, etc.
- Around 55% students engage in internships while studying at Willamette.
- The average mid-career salary of the College of Arts and Sciences graduates is 111,000 USD per year.
- Data Science graduates of the university are highly valued among employers. Companies recruiting data science graduates include IBM, Amazon, Adobe, Yelp, Root, Stitch Fix, etc. The average salary of graduates is estimated to be 95,998 USD to 120,495 USD.
According to Payscale, the average salaries of Willamette University graduates are given in the table below:
Job Title | Average Salary (in USD) |
---|---|
Business Intelligence Analyst | 85,000 |
Executive Director | 70,000 |
Financial Analyst | 62,500 |
Project Manager | 61,935 |
Marketing Manager | 60,000 |
Research Coordinator | 57,584 |
Program Manager Non-Profit Organization | 38,914 |
Willamette University is an excellent institution for pursuing education in liberal arts and sciences. The university has a blend of local and global communities which make it ideal for international students studying in the U.S. Among a range of accomplishments, Willamette is also well-known for being a good value institution and preparing students for successful careers.
FAQs
Ques. Is Willamette University a good institution?
Ans. Willamette University nationally ranks 72nd among Liberal Arts Institutions in the U.S. News and World Report.
Ques. What is Willamette University known for?
Ans. Willamette University is known for its programs in art history and studio art. Its graduate programs in MBA, MS in Data Sciences, MA and MFA in Arts, Writing and Critical Studies are also popular in Oregon.
Ques. What GPA do you need to get into Willamette University?
Ans. Willamette University does not specify minimum GPA requirements for admission. However, applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0.
Ques. Is it hard to get into Willamette University?
Ans. Willamette University has a less selective admission policy. Admission to the university is based on high school GPA, academic records, recommendations and English language proficiency. In fall, the university had an acceptance rate of 80%.
Ques. What is the tuition for Willamette University?
Ans. The tuition fee for undergraduate programs offered at the College of Arts and Sciences is 43,500 USD. The MBA program tuition fee is 44,900 USD. The tuition fee for College of Law programs is 47,130 USD.
Ques. Is Willamette Law a good school?
Ans. The College of Law of Willamette University ranks among the top 147-193 in Best Law Schools in the U.S. News and World Report.
Ques. Does Willamette University require SAT scores?
Ans. SAT or ACT scores are optional for admission to Willamette University. It is upon the applicant to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores or not. It is advisable to submit test scores if it accurately reflects your academic potential.
Ques. Is Willamette Law School hard to get into?
Ans. Willamette Law School is moderately selective in terms of admission. Students can expect to get in as long as they have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above and LSAT score of 152 or above.
Ques. What division is Willamette University?
Ans. Willamette University is a member of NCAA division III.
Ques. Does Willamette University have an application fee?
Ans. No, Willamette University does not charge application fees from applicants.