Western Oregon University

www.wou.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$8,460

2.17% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$15,181

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

2.56%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

91.6%

2,798 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

4,029

81.3% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

48.3%

438 Graduates

About

Western Oregon University is a higher education institution located in Polk County, OR. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Western Oregon University were General Education (158 degrees awarded), General Psychology (109 degrees), and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (103 degrees).

In 2021, 1,246 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Western Oregon University. 67.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 32.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (796 degrees), 3.77 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (211 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Western Oregon University is $8,460, which is $−14,724 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Photo by Go Ikeda

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Western Oregon University is $8,460, which is $−14,724 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $15,181.

In 2021, 79% of undergraduate students attending Western Oregon University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 76% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$8,460

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Western Oregon University was $8,460. The cost of tuition at Western Oregon University is $−14,724 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Western Oregon University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$15,181

2021 Value

5.42%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Western Oregon University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,181. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Western Oregon University grew by 5.42%.

This chart compares the average net price of Western Oregon University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$10,596

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Western Oregon University was of $10,596 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 2.62% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Western Oregon University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

79%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

76%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

79% of undergraduate students at Western Oregon University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 11.3% with respect to 2020, when 71% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Western Oregon University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2.56%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Western Oregon University was 2.56%, which represents 37 out of the 1448 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Western Oregon University received 2,798 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 21.5% annual growth. Out of those 2,798 applicants, 2,562 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 91.6% acceptance rate.

There were 4,029 students enrolled at Western Oregon University in 2021. 24% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Western Oregon University has an overall enrollment yield of 21.2%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

91.6%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

2,562

Accepted Out of 2,798

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Western Oregon University was 91.6% (2,562 admissions from 2,798 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 79.1%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 21.5%, while admissions declined by −9.21%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Western Oregon University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

24%

Submission Percentage (2020)

172

Scores Submitted (2020)

24% of enrolled first-time students at Western Oregon University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Western Oregon University had a total enrollment of 4,029 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Western Oregon University is 3,274 students and the part-time enrollment is 755. This means that 81.3% of students enrolled at Western Oregon University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Western Oregon University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 60.1% White, 20.7% Hispanic or Latino, 5.09% Two or More Races, 2.8% Black or African American, 2.73% Asian, 1.49% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 1.07% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Western Oregon University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (40.3%), followed by White Male (17.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (15%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (48%), followed by White Male (27.1%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (8.44%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

81.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Western Oregon University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 4,029 students. The full-time enrollment at Western Oregon University is 3,274 and the part-time enrollment is 755. This means that 81.3% of students enrolled at Western Oregon University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Western Oregon University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

65%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Western Oregon University was 65%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Western Oregon University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Western Oregon University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
2,423 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
834 enrolled students
Two or More Races
205 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Western Oregon University is 60.1% White, 20.7% Hispanic or Latino, 5.09% Two or More Races, 2.8% Black or African American, 2.73% Asian, 1.49% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 1.07% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 118 students (2.93%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 444 more women than men received degrees from Western Oregon University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Western Oregon University is white (796 degrees awarded). There were 3.77 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (211 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Western Oregon University is General Education (158 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (109 degrees) and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (103 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Western Oregon University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Language & Linguistics (42 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (127 degrees), and EDUCATION. (336 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Oregon University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,688,167 people), Secondary school teachers (447,174 people), Education administrators (269,633 people), Special education teachers (176,625 people), and Other managers (175,602 people).

The most specialized majors at Western Oregon University in 2021 are Language & Linguistics (42 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (127 degrees), EDUCATION. (336 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (52 degrees), and Protective Services (94 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Oregon University are Surgeons, Physicians, Sales engineers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at Western Oregon University are Language & Linguistics (42 degrees awarded), Interdisciplinary Studies (127 degrees), EDUCATION. (336 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (52 degrees), and Protective Services (94 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Western Oregon University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,857,649 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (372,694 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (320,599 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (265,587 people), and Computer Systems Design (108,168 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Western Oregon University.

Most Common (2021)

General Education
158 degrees awarded
General Psychology
109 degrees awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
103 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Western Oregon University was General Education with 158 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Western Oregon University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

401

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

845

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 401 degrees were awarded to men at Western Oregon University, which is 0.475 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (845).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Western Oregon University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 55 degrees were awarded to men at Western Oregon University in General Business, which is 1.34 times more than the 41 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 126 degrees were awarded to men at Western Oregon University in General Education, which is 3.71 times more than the 34 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

24%

100% Completion Time

41%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 24% of students graduating from Western Oregon University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 41% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 44% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Hispanic or Latino Female

Highest Graduation Rate (57.5%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Western Oregon University is Female and Hispanic or Latino (57.5% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 6.62% of graduates (29 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
796 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
211 degrees awarded
Asian
49 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Western Oregon University is white (796 degrees awarded). There were 3.77 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (211 degrees).

3.29% of degree recipients (41 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
543 degrees awarded
White Male
253 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
144 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Western Oregon University is white female (543 degrees awarded). There were 2.15 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (253 degrees).

Operations

Western Oregon University has an endowment valued at nearly $21.4M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 805k (3.77%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, Western Oregon University had a total salary expenditure of 105M. Western Oregon University employs 77 Professors, 77 Assistant professors and 50 Instructors. Most academics at Western Oregon University are Female Professor (41), Female Assistant professor (40), and Male Assistant professor (37).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Oregon University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 146 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 50 employees, and Service with 47 employees.

Endowment

$21.4M

2021 Endowment

9.04%

growth from 2020

Western Oregon University has an endowment valued at about $21.4M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Western Oregon University grew 9.04% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $29.1M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Western Oregon University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$43.1M

2021 Salaries

13.2%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Western Oregon University paid a median of $43.1M in salaries, which represents 41.2% of their overall expenditure ($105M) and a 13.2% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$15.3M

Instructional Salaries

243

Number of Employees

In 2021, Western Oregon University paid a total of $15.3M to 243 employees working as instructors, which represents 35.4% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

77 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

146 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Western Oregon University were Professor with 77 employees, Assistant professor with 77 employees, and Instructor with 50 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Western Oregon University were Business and Financial Operations with 146 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 50 employees, and Service with 47 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Female Professor
Female Assistant professor
Male Assistant professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Western Oregon University was Female Professor with 41 employees, Female Assistant professor with 40 employees, and Male Assistant professor with 37 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Western Oregon University.