Whitworth University

Private · Moderately Selective · WA

Photo: T85cr1ft19m1n (CC0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationWA · West

SettingSuburban

Undergrads1,858

Student:faculty11:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate62.5%

6-yr grad rate70.9%

Drop-out rate22.4%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$53k

Out-of-state tuition$53k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity37.1%

Gender diversity54.9%

International5.2%

IdentityPresbyterian

Overview

Whitworth University is a Presbyterian-affiliated university in Spokane, Washington, known for a "mind and heart" ethos that pairs serious academics with an intentionally Christian, non-legalistic campus culture. It sits at a comfortable middle scale — larger than a small liberal arts college but still personal — with a residential core in a pine-forested setting characteristic of the Inland Northwest.

Academics

Education, health sciences (including nursing), and business are its strongest and most visible undergraduate programs, alongside a well-regarded core liberal arts curriculum that all students complete regardless of major. Faculty are expected to integrate faith and learning thoughtfully rather than dogmatically, shaping a classroom culture of open inquiry within a Christian framework.

Campus & student life

The wooded, pine-covered campus and Spokane's outdoor-recreation access give student life a strong outdoors component alongside conventional residential college traditions. Chapel and small-group faith communities are common but not universally mandatory, reflecting a less rigid approach to religious life than some peer Christian institutions.

Getting in

Whitworth reviews applications holistically and is known to be genuinely welcoming of students exploring or questioning faith, not only those already committed to evangelical Christianity — a distinguishing note relative to some peer Christian universities.

After graduation

Education and nursing graduates place well across the Pacific Northwest, and the university has a solid record of Fulbright and other national fellowship placements relative to its size.

Worth knowing

The "mind and heart" framing is a real cultural touchstone here, not just a slogan — Whitworth is often recommended to students who want a serious Christian university without a strict or legalistic religious-life culture.

whitworth.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate89.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1090–1330 · ACT 21–29

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionNov 15

Regular decisionMar 1

Applying