Founded in 1890, Washington State University (also known as WSU or Washington State) is a public research university in Pullman, Washington. It is one of the oldest land-grant universities renowned for its research initiatives and investments. As a part of its initial curriculum, WSU taught chemistry, mathematics, history, and English, along with music and arts. In 1905, the Board of Regents, the university’s governing body, approved the founding of the School of Music.
In 1985, the university went through a period of rapid growth and established branches in other cities of Washington State — Spokane, the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland), and Vancouver. Additionally, the institution opened facilities in Prosser and Wenatchee, as well as offices and research centres throughout the state. Since then, WSU has achieved several landmarks such as the establishment of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the second public medical school in Washington and one of the only three in the state, and so on.
WSU is counted among universities with ‘R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity’ in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This classification is granted only to institutions that consistently conduct research on different subjects and allocate a significant amount of resources to research activities. In 2019 alone, Washington State spent 345 million dollars on research and development. WSU was ranked 179th among ‘National Universities’ by US News and World Report 2022, and 443rd among ‘Top Global Universities’ in the QS World University Ranking 2023.
As of fall 2020, the alumni network of WSU comprises nearly 180,000 members worldwide. Some of its notable alumni are Irwin Rose, Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry; Paul Allen, Co-founder of Microsoft; John M. Fabian, Astronaut; Dolph Lundgren, actor; Paul Enquist, Olympic Gold Medalist; Michael Edward Lowry, 20th governor of Washington; and Jayceon Terrell Taylor (professionally known as ‘The Game’); Rapper; among others. In this article, we will discuss the programs offered at WSU, their admission process, and fee structure, among others. So read on!
Programs Offered at WSU
Operating on a global scale, Washington State University provides 565 programs across its centres in 70 odd countries. WSU collaborates with several universities across the world to execute research projects and student exchange programs. It offers academic programs in over 200 streams and disciplines such as Language and Literature, Systems Engineering, Biological Sciences, Archaeology, Music, Sports Science, Computer Science, and Environmental Studies, among others. Some of the most sought-after courses offered by Washington State are mentioned in the table below:
| Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering | Master of Business Administration |
| Bachelor of Science in Microbiology | Master of Science in Computer Science |
| Bachelor of Science in International Business | Master of Architecture |
| Bachelor of Nursing | Master of Science in Electrical Engineering |
| Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
| Bachelor of Arts in Humanities | Master of Arts in Sports Management |
| Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Cell Biology | Master of Science in Plants Biology |
| Bachelor of Science in Music Education | Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Master of Science in Agriculture |
| Bachelor of Accounting | Master of Arts in Anthropology |
| Bachelor of Arts in Management | Master of Science in Veterinary Science |
| Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies | Master of Arts in Music |
| Bachelor of Science in Marketing | Master of Science in Biology |
| Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Master of Science in Chemistry |
Washington State University offers these courses through its 11 constituent colleges:
- Carson College of Business
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- College of Education
- Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Veterinary Medicine
Campus Life
In 2001, WSU inaugurated the 160,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center (SRC). It consists of an indoor track, four basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a roller hockey rink, four racquetball courts, a swimming pool, a 50-person jacuzzi, free weights, weight machines, cardio equipment, exercise instruction rooms, outdoor sand volleyball courts, and a ropes course. In addition to sports facilities, the campus is home to several museums such as the Museum of Art, Charles R. Conner Museum of Natural History, and Museum of Anthropology, among others.
Admission Process at WSU
The acceptance rate of Washington State University is 76%. Its student population of nearly 20000 represents 98 countries and all the 50 states of America. The admission process at WSU depends on the program you wish to pursue. As every course requires a different set of skills, the eligibility criteria for admission to every course vary. However, the admission prerequisites common to all the courses are mentioned in the table below:
| Tests | Required Scores |
| IELTS | 7.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-Based Test) | 93 |
| PTE | 62 |
Admission requirements for all programs are available on the university’s official website. Hence, aspirants can visit the website to learn more about the eligibility criteria of their chosen program.
Fee Structure and Financial Aid
The table below illustrates the cost of attendance for students pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs:
| For Undergraduate Program | ||
| Types of Costs | Resident | Non-Residents |
| Tuition | $5,633 | $13,475 |
| Mandatory Fees | $717 | $717 |
| Room and Board | $6,299 | $6,299 |
| Books | $480 | $480 |
| Miscellaneous Living Expenses | $1,126 | $1,126 |
| Transportation | $717 | $717 |
| Estimated Semester Total | $14,972 | $22,814 |
| Estimated Year Total | $29,944 | $45,628 |
| For Graduate Program | ||
| Types of Costs | Resident | Non-Residents |
| Tuition | $6,462 | $13,861 |
| Mandatory Fees | $569 | $569 |
| Room and Board | $6,299 | $6,299 |
| Books | $567 | $567 |
| Miscellaneous Living Expenses | $1,126 | $1,126 |
| Transportation | $717 | $717 |
| Estimated Semester Total | $15,740 | $23,139 |
| Estimated Year Total | $31,480 | $46,278 |
Washington State University assists students in financing their education through financial aid such as scholarships, grants, fee waivers, and work-study, among others. In the academic year 2019-20, WSU offered $421.8 million in financial aid and scholarships.
Some of the scholarships provided by Washington State are:
- April Seehafer Scholarship Fund
- Art and Helen Brunstad Endowed Chemistry Scholarship
- Anker L. and Lilian M. Christy Scholarship
- Albert and Helene Heglund Scholarship
- Expand Your Horizons Scholarship
So if you aspire to study at an institution that brings out a researcher in you, then Washington State University is the place to be. We hope that this article has helped you learn crucial information about this university. All the best!