Western Washington University

Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States. It was established in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private teachers' school founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977. WWU offers bachelor's, master's and select doctoral degrees. In fall 2024, there were 14,710 students, including 13,752 undergraduates, and 683 full-time faculty. The university is classified as a research university in the Carnegie Classification. Its athletic teams are known as the Vikings, and compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The main campus sits on 215 acres in Bellingham. WWU also operates the Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes and academic locations in Everett and on the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. WWU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.