The university also reported improvements in five institutional ranking categories overall.
Western Washington University has been ranked No. 1 for best value among regional universities in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released Sept. 22.
Western climbed 17 places to No. 24 in Best Value Schools among all regional universities in the West, placing it ahead of its public regional master’s-granting university peers in the Pacific Northwest. The university said the recognition highlights two priorities for students and families choosing a college: academic quality and affordability.
U.S. News’ Best Value Schools rankings consider academic quality alongside the cost of attendance after need-based scholarships and grants. The methodology also considers how broadly institutions provide need-based financial aid, the release said.
“An excellent education should give students room to explore, challenge them to think deeply, and prepare them for what comes next,” President Sabah Randhawa said. “Western’s recognition as a best value university reflects our commitment to making that education accessible and helping students make the most of their time here.”
The university also reported improvements in five institutional ranking categories overall. In addition to the best value ranking, Western was ranked:
- No. 12 among public regional universities in the West, up from No. 13
- Tied for No. 21 among all regional universities in the West, up from No. 23
- No. 77 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, up from No. 92
- No. 11 in Best Colleges for Veterans, up from No. 16.
All five rankings fall within U.S. News’ Regional Universities West category, which groups institutions by their academic offerings and geographic region. U.S. News & World Report’s West region spans 15 states, from Washington, Oregon and California east to Texas and Oklahoma, and includes Alaska and Hawaii.
Established in 1893, Western Washington University offers more than 200 undergraduate and more than 40 graduate programs and is one of the top master’s-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest, the release said.
