Project Opportunity: Access to Washington's Colleges

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Gonzaga Univ.

Heritage Univ.

Pacific Lutheran Univ.

St. Martin's Univ.

Seattle Pacific Univ.

“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

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College Characteristics & General Information

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	Fall Term Begins	Spring Term Ends
Gonzaga University	Spokane	Catholic - Jesuit	Semester	August 28	May 9
Heritage University	Toppenish	Non-Denominational	Semester	September 4	May 9
Pacific Lutheran University	Tacoma	Lutheran	Semester	September 4	May 24
Saint Martin's University	Lacey	Catholic - Benedictine	Semester	August 27	May 7
Seattle Pacific University	Seattle	Free Methodist	Quarter	September 24	June 5
Seattle University	Seattle	Catholic - Jesuit	Quarter	September 26	June 14
University of Puget Sound	Tacoma	Non-Denominational	Semester	September 4	May 16
Walla Walla University	College Place	Seventh-day Adventist	Quarter	September 24	June 11
Whitman College	Walla Walla	Non-Denominational	Semester	August 28	May 13
Whitworth University	Spokane	Presbyterian	Semester	September 5	May 16

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 Diversity

Diversity is another important consideration in choosing a college. Greater diversity in a college reflects the diversity of the world we live in and helps students to create community and learn to respect one another.

Diversity in higher education includes different missions, different programs, size, and location. Explore all those differences of the colleges you are interested in applying to.

Diversity of the students and faculty will also impact your learning. Learning with people whose experiences, beliefs and perspectives are different than our own enrich the education experience, foster person growth, strengthens our communities, and enhances our economic competitiveness.

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	84%	10%*	75%	68%	74%	72%	92%	37%**	91%	80%

* 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.

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	12 to 1	8 to 1	15 to 1	13.5 to 1	14 to 1	13 to 1	11.75 to 1	13 to 1	9.52 to 1	12 to 1
Percent of classes with less than 30 students	78%	100%	79%	96%	72%	83%	90%	84%	93%	84%

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