• Search by:

Willamette University

900 State St, Salem, OR 97301

Website: Willamette University

Photos:

Hudson's Bay and the Mill Race that runs through campus
Hudson's Bay and the Mill Race that runs through campus
[source]

Willamette University School Description

Willamette University is an independent, nonsectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1842, educating men & women in the liberal arts & selected professional fields. The University’s mission extends far from the Oregon Territory & Pacific Northwest to encompass the larger world beyond.

Willamette University is a top-ranked private liberal arts university located directly across the street from Oregon's Capitol. Home to 1,800 undergraduates and 760 graduate students in law, business and teaching, Willamette University's campus, centered on the Mill Race and festooned with ancient trees and ample green spaces, strongly reflects the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Described by students in the 2008 Princeton Review of the nation’s best colleges as “academically rigorous,” "intimate" and “seriously gorgeous," Willamette's College of Liberal Arts is defined by its commitment to excellence in scholarship, teaching innovation, and to the success of our graduates, who go on to prestigious graduate and professional schools, and pursue meaningful careers in the public and private sectors.

Willamette’s reputation as a top-tier liberal arts college attracts a wide variety of applicants from all over the nation and the globe. Approximately 4,200 students applied for admission to the class of 2012; 542 have enrolled. The number of Willamette students who apply for admission to Willamette's College of Liberal Arts has increased by more than 80 percent since 2002.

Do you like to sing, dance or play a musical instrument? Are you interested in learning about foreign cultures? Do you enjoy athletic competition, the great outdoors, debating policy initiatives or doing community service work? Whatever your interests, Willamette has a wide assortment of programs, organizations and opportunities available to help you make the most of your college experience.

Collapse

Willamette University

From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, with an undergraduate college and three graduate schools. In athletics, the university is a member of the NCAA's Division III Northwest Conference, with the bearcat as the school mascot and old gold and cardinal as the school colors. There are approximately 2,500 students enrolled combined between the graduate and undergraduate programs. The school employs over 200 full-time professors at the campus that is situated across the street from the Oregon State Capitol.

Originally named the Oregon Institute, the school was an unaffiliated outgrowth of the Methodist Mission. The name was changed to Wallamet University in 1852, followed by the current spelling in 1870. Willamette founded the first medical school and law school in the Pacific Northwest during the later half of the 19th century. During the 20th century the school started a sister school relationship with Tokyo International University and began competing in college athletics.

Willamette’s College of Liberal Arts is the undergraduate school on campus. The school was rated 63rd among American liberal arts colleges by US News and World Report for 2008. The oldest of the graduate programs is the College of Law, founded in 1883 and located in the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center. Established in 1974, Atkinson Graduate School of Management is housed in the Seeley G. Mudd Building. The School of Education, established in 1996, has an enrollment of 250 students.

History

The university was founded as the Oregon Institute in the days of the Oregon Country by the missionary Jason Lee, who had arrived in the territory in 1834 and had founded the Indian Manual Labor Institute for the education of the local Native Americans. Lee requested additional support for his mission, and received 53 additional volunteers in 1839, who arrived on the ship Lausanne. After a series of meetings in Lee's home, the by-laws were adopted and board of trustees elected and the institute was officially established on February 1, 1842. Lee served as the first President of the Board of Trustees, followed by David Leslie after Lee’s death in 1845. Leslie would serve until his death in 1869. The original purpose of the institute was the education of the missionaries' children.

Collapse

Read the full entry on Wikipedia

Quick Facts

Chance of Admission:
Location:
Northwest
Setting:
Mid-size City Setting
Type:
Private
Size:
Small (Under 2,000 Undergrad)
Mascot:
Bearcats

Students & Campus Life

Undergraduate Enrollment:
1,954
On Campus Housing:
Available
Full Time Students:
100%
Athletic Programs:
Available
More Students & Campus Life

Expenses

Average Tuition:
$ 31,968
Students Receiving Aid:
95%
More Expenses & Financial Aid

Admissions

Application Fee:
$ 50
Selectivity:
Selective
More Admissions

Willamette University Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Master’s Degree Programs

Learn more about Master’s Degree Programs

Willamette University Students & Campus Life

General

Full-Time vs. Part-Time
Full-Time 100%
Part-Time 0%
Men vs. Women
Women 55%
Men 45%
Race/Ethnicity
Caucasian 60%
Other 32%
Asian 5%
Hispanic 3%
African-American 0%

Geography

In State vs. Out-of-State
Out-of-State 67%
In-State 33%
Top States for Incoming Freshman
Oregon 33%
California 18%
Washington 18%
Hawaii 5%
Colorado 3%
Percent of Students International: 4%

Housing

On-Campus Housing Available: Yes
Percent of Students Living On-Campus: 59%
Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: Yes

Athletics

Member of: NAA, NCAA
Sports Include: Football (Northwest Conference)
Basketball (Northwest Conference)
Baseball (Northwest Conference)
Track (Northwest Conference)

Willamette University Expenses (Tuition & Fees)

Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) Expenses  
Published Tuition and Fees:
 $ 31,968    
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 31,760    
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads:
 $ 208    
Financial Aid Avg. Amount Received % of Students Receiving Aid  
Federal Grants:
 $ 4,630 17%  
State and Local Grants:
 $ 3,772 5%  
Institutional Grants:
 $ 13,593 94%  
Student Loans:
 $ 5,696 55%  
Any Aid:
   95%  

Willamette University Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 77% (Selective)
Test Scores  
SAT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting SAT Scores: 79%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Verbal: 570, Math: 550
Top 75th Percentile: Verbal: 690, Math: 660
ACT Scores:  
% of Students Submitting ACT Scores: 21%
Bottom 25th Percentile: Composite: 25, Verbal: 24, Math: 23
Top 75th Percentile: Composite: 29, Verbal: 31, Math: 28

Application Requirements (Undergraduate Only)

Application Fee: $ 50.00
Formal Demonstration of Competencies: Not Required
High School Diploma or Equivalent: Required
High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Recommended
High School Record: Required
Recommendations: Required
TOEFL: Recommended
Test Scores: Required

College Advice on Willamette University

Yahoo
picasso
picasso

Question: liberal arts v. university?

I'm a senior in highschool and i still don't know where to go to college--I cant decide between the University of Washington and a small liberal arts school Willamette University. Money is not an issue and I plan on going to UW medical school either way. has anyone been to either school and can give me some advice? University of Washington is awefully big, and I may be leaning towards Willamette.....but my boyfriend of 5 months (but also my best friend for 3 years) will be attending University of WA....
34 months ago
blue_motmot
blue_...

Best Answer

Have you visited? My son has been accepted to both, as well as some other schools. Willamette has an admitted students day tomorrow, the 20th. You can spend a night in the dorm afterward as well. My son has found it very helpful to sit in on a class or two at the colleges he's most interested in, and spend a night in the dorm. It really helps to get the feeling of what the students are like. I say visit and go with your gut about what is best for you. The boyfriend might or might not last if you are at different colleges, but you could always visit occasionally, it's about a four hour drive between Seattle and Salem.

Photos

  • Hudson's Bay and the Mill Race that runs through campus
    Hudson's Bay and the Mill Race that runs through campus [source]
  • Lausanne Hall
    Lausanne Hall [source]
  • McCulloch Stadium
    McCulloch Stadium [source]
  • Eaton Hall built in 1909
    Eaton Hall built in 1909 [source]
  • Waller Hall, completed in 1867 is the oldest building on campus
    Waller Hall, completed in 1867 is the oldest building on campus [source]
  • Jackson Plaza outside the library
    Jackson Plaza outside the library [source]
Get Admissions Information on Willamette University! (It only takes a minute!)
STEP 1 2

Where does the school information come from?

CLOSE

Our goal at Campus Explorer is to provide you with the most comprehensive information on colleges and universities. We scour the Web and pull from only the most reliable and accurate sources to give you extensive data on a school, its history and mission, the students, estimated school expenses, academics or degree programs and much more. It is our mission to help you make the best decision for your educational goals and future.

Our resources include:

The schools themselves (Are you a school administrator? Contact us if you would like to update your school's profile.)

And even Campus Explorer Members like you!

For even more up-to-date and accurate materials on admissions, applications and expenses, request information on Willamette University now.

Sponsored Links
Advertisement
Get Admissions Information on Willamette University! (It only takes a minute!)
STEP 1 2

Compare Willamette University to your schools:

  • Cleveland Institute of Dental - Medical Assistants - Lyndhurst
  • The New England Institute of Art

Related College Searches

Colleges Near Willamette University

More Info on Similar School Types

More Info on Related College Degrees

More Colleges Near Salem, OR

Online Schools & Distance Learning Programs

College Resources

College Degrees
Types of Colleges and Universities
See All Colleges by State
See All Colleges by Program or Online Program
Search All Colleges
Online Degree Programs at Online Schools
See All Online Degree Programs at Online Schools
Certificate Programs
See All Schools Offering Certificate Programs
See Online Schools Offering Online Certificate Programs
Master's Degree Programs
See All Schools Offering Master’s Degree Programs
See Online Schools Offering Online Master's Degrees
College Degree Programs & Areas-of-Study
See All College Programs & Areas of Study
See Online Schools Offering Online Degree Programs
Planning for College Guides
Career Information
Paying for College Guides
Top News in Education
Willamette University
Salem, OR 97301
see details