
Walla Walla University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution founded in 1892 as Walla Walla College. It adopted its current name in 2007, reflecting a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that had grown beyond its original college curriculum.
Religious education and preparation for service have remained part of the institution's identity as its academic offerings expanded into fields including engineering, nursing, business and social work. Its principal campus is in College Place, Washington; some specialized programs also use facilities elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest.
Walla Walla University offers undergraduate programs across the liberal arts, sciences and professional fields, along with selected graduate degrees. Its academic organization includes schools and departments covering business, education and psychology, engineering, nursing, social work and theology.
Students can explore subjects such as biology, communication, computer science, music and religion alongside career-oriented programs. Engineering students should examine the particular degree pathway they intend to enter, while prospective nursing and social work students should review clinical or field-placement requirements. The academic catalog is the appropriate place to check which majors, concentrations and courses are offered in a given year and at which location.
Walla Walla University's main campus is in College Place, Washington, immediately adjoining the city of Walla Walla. The setting is a smaller metropolitan area rather than a large-city campus, which matters for students comparing transportation, employment and off-campus living options.
Walla Walla Regional Airport provides limited regional air service. Students without a car should examine local transit routes and the schedules for clinical placements, internships or other activities beyond campus. The university also has program-specific locations, including nursing instruction in Portland, Oregon, so applicants should confirm where their intended program's courses take place.
Walla Walla University identifies itself as a Seventh-day Adventist university whose educational mission combines faith, learning and service. Its stated values emphasize thoughtful inquiry, generosity in service, artistic expression and faith in God.
That affiliation is relevant to daily campus life: worship, ministry and service activities are part of the university's institutional character. Prospective students of any background can compare the university's current student policies and campus programming with the kind of learning environment they want; a stated mission describes institutional priorities, not a measurable outcome for every student.
Name of the institution
Walla Walla UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (Seventh-day Adventists)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1892Walla Walla University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.