Washington State University
Washington State University is the land-grant research flagship of the Cougar state, anchored in the small Palouse town of Pullman and enrolling about 21,000 undergraduates. Admission stays accessible for a major research university: roughly 86% of applicants earn an offer, and the review leans almost entirely on high school GPA and course rigor rather than test scores, which WSU does not weigh in admission decisions. Enrolled first-years average a 3.46 GPA, business and marketing leads the degrees conferred at about 18%, and out-of-state students face no residency penalty at the point of admission, making WSU one of the more welcoming flagships for applicants from beyond Washington.
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Washington State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Washington State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Washington State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How Washington State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Washington State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $17,671 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Washington State admissions
Is it hard to get into Washington State University?＋
No, WSU is not hard to get into by flagship standards. It admitted 86.1% of roughly 26,400 applicants in the most recent cycle and enrolled about 4,420 first-years. Admission turns on your high school GPA and the rigor of your courses, with no minimum test score required.
What are my chances of getting into WSU from out of state?＋
Strong. Washington State admitted 87.8% of out-of-state applicants for Fall 2024, slightly higher than its 86.1% in-state rate, so non-residents face no admission disadvantage. WSU lists state residency and geographical residence as 'not considered' in its review, which means where you live does not factor into the decision.
Does WSU require SAT or ACT scores?＋
No. Washington State does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions and rates standardized test scores 'not considered,' so you can apply without them. Only about 6% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT and 1% an ACT; among those who did, the middle 50% scored 1010–1280 on the SAT and 18–27 on the ACT.
What GPA do you need to get into Washington State University?＋
Aim for a solid B average or better. Enrolled first-years average a 3.46 high school GPA, and academic GPA plus the rigor of your course record are the two factors WSU weighs as very important. There is no published hard cutoff for the Pullman campus, but a stronger transcript improves your odds and your scholarship eligibility.
How much does WSU cost for out-of-state students?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $14,361 for Washington residents and $32,032 for out-of-state students. About 58% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average need-based package near $17,188, and WSU meets roughly 62% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Washington State University?＋
Business and marketing leads at about 18% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the social sciences at 11% and the life sciences, engineering, and psychology each in the 8 to 10% range. As a land-grant university, WSU also runs deep programs in agriculture, communication, and the health professions, including nursing and veterinary medicine.
What is Washington State University's graduation and retention rate?＋
About 80% of first-year students return for their second year, and 63% of an entering cohort finishes a bachelor's degree within six years. Those figures sit below the most selective flagships but reflect WSU's broad-access mission and its mix of in-state and first-generation students.
Does the application essay matter at WSU?＋
Yes, though it plays a supporting role. Washington State rates the application essay as 'considered' rather than very important, behind GPA and course rigor. Since test scores carry no weight, a clear, specific essay is a real chance to add context to your transcript and show fit, especially for scholarship and honors review.
Source: Washington State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. Middle 50% SAT and Middle 50% ACT are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Washington State. Banner photo by Joe Mabel, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).