Project Opportunity: Access to Washington's Colleges'

“Walla Walla University is simply the right fit for me. I don't think my college story is particularly interesting, but it's probably typical of the majority of college goers. I knew the school I want to attend and where I ultimately enrolled depended a lot on the financial aid I received.”

— Reynolds Engelhart
Walla Walla University

Give us your feedback!


Photobar

College Characteristics & General Information

General Information | Undergraduate Enrollment | Average time to Graduate | Student to Faculty Ratio | Clubs, Study Abroad, and Community Service

  • Each college has its own personality. You'll want to explore the details to find out which one fits you.

There are many aspects of choosing a college to take into account: where the college is located, how big it is, its religious affiliation, and the diversity of the student body and faculty all are factors worth considering when deciding which college you would like to attend. The information below will help you get a better idea of the individual personalities of the independent colleges. Of course, the best way to choose a college isn't by a few statistics, but by the overall character of the school. Look through their website to get a better feeling of this. Better yet, visit the college. Click on a college name to read more about its personality and mission.

 

General College Information

College Location Affiliation Calendar
Gonzaga University Spokane Catholic - Jesuit Semester
Heritage University Toppenish Non-Denominational Semester
Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma Lutheran Semester
Saint Martin's University Lacey Catholic - Benedictine Semester
Seattle Pacific University Seattle Free Methodist Quarter
Seattle University Seattle Catholic - Jesuit Quarter
University of Puget Sound Tacoma Non-Denominational Semester
Walla Walla University College Place Seventh-day Adventist Quarter
Whitman College Walla Walla Non-Denominational Semester
Whitworth University Spokane Presbyterian Semester

 

Undergraduate Enrollment

How many students attend a school can be a central aspect of what kind of education experience you will have at that school. Smaller colleges usually have the advantage of smaller class sizes and more opportunities to get to know your professors and classmates.

Undergraduate Enrollment

 

 

Average Time to Graduate

Of the students who graduate, most do so in four years.

Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin's University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Percent of graduates who complete in four years 78% <10%* 76% 64% 81% 71% 88% 43%** 91% 83%

* At Heritage University a large number of students are mature, working adults or transfer students, with significant lapse between secondary school and the pursuit of higher education. On average, 12% of the undergraduates are 'full time' freshman. The average age of undergraduate students is 32. This affects any interpretation attached to a traditional measure of 'time-to-completion', and any comparison between Heritage and students attending other institutions.

** Many students at Walla Walla University go on a mission before graduation, which reduces the number of graduates who complete in four years. Also, many Seventh-Day Adventist colleges regularly transfer students between them. This makes the graduation rate seem much lower, when those same freshmen are graduating from another Seventh-day Adventist School.

Source: IPEDS 2009 Graduates

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student to faculty ratio is an important statistic. It tells you how many students there are in relationship to how many professors. A smaller student to faculty ratio means smaller class sizes, more discussion and more individual attention from professors. This environment of close community and discussion is one of the best aspects of attending a private college. It helps students learn to think independently on a wide range of subjects.

Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin's University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10 to 1 10 to 1 15 to 1 12 to 1 14 to 1 13 to 1 12 to 1 14 to 1 10 to 1 12 to 1
Percent of classes with less than 30 students 80% 100% 80% 95% 70% 85% 90% 85% 95% 85%
Source: IPEDS

Clubs, Study Abroad, and Community Service

Gonzaga University

Heritage University

Pacific Lutheran University

Saint Martin's University

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle University

University of Puget Sound

Walla Walla University

Whitman College

Whitworth University

Funded in part by a grant from
the Ben B. Cheney Foundation
published by Independent Colleges of Washington