Washington Adventist University

Private · Selective · MD

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationMD · South

SettingSuburban

Undergrads452

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate15.4%

6-yr grad rate28.6%

Drop-out rate35.9%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$27k

Out-of-state tuition$27k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity93.1%

Gender diversity55.5%

International15.3%

IdentitySeventh Day Adventists

Overview

Washington Adventist University is a small Seventh-day Adventist school in Takoma Park, Maryland, just over the line from Washington, DC. Its identity centers on health-professions preparation and a Sabbath-centered campus rhythm, drawing an internationally diverse student body that reflects the global reach of the Adventist church. The university's small size gives it a close, familiar campus feel relative to the much larger institutions nearby in the DC metro area.

Academics

Nursing and the health professions are the university's clear strength, with a track record of preparing students for clinical careers in the DC metro area's hospitals and clinics, and music also carries a strong tradition here, reflecting the broader Adventist emphasis on musical worship. Class sizes are small, consistent with the university's overall scale, allowing for close faculty contact across programs.

Campus & student life

Campus life follows Sabbath observance from Friday evening through Saturday, shaping the weekly rhythm of the small campus in a way students should plan around directly. The university's proximity to Washington, DC gives students access to internships, government agencies, and cultural resources in the capital that a school of this size would not otherwise offer. The student body is notably international and diverse for a school of its size.

Getting in

The university looks for students comfortable with its religious mission, though it enrolls students of many faiths; the process is relatively accessible rather than highly selective. Adventist church affiliation is common among applicants but not required, and the university's small scale means admissions decisions can weigh individual circumstances and personal background closely.

Worth knowing

Students should know this is a small, religiously grounded campus rather than a large research university, and that Sabbath observance is a genuine, lived part of weekly life here, not a background detail. The DC-area location is a real asset for students pursuing health-policy or government-adjacent interests alongside their coursework.

wau.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate46.2%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 860–1130

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying