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Whitworth University

#1029 in US ranking Spokane, WA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$69,684
Tuition & fees
$52,950
Avg. aid
$37,246
Receiving aid
98%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
90%
SAT range
1090–1330
ACT range
21–29

Outcomes

Graduation rate
71%
Median salary
$45,275
1 yr after graduation

Courtesy of Whitworth University

What is the history of Whitworth University?

Whitworth University is a private Christian university founded in 1890 in Tacoma, Washington. It began as Whitworth College, named for Presbyterian minister George F. Whitworth, and moved to the Spokane area in 1914.

The institution adopted the name Whitworth University in 2007. Its history helps explain two continuing features of its identity: a liberal arts education with professional programs and an affiliation with the Presbyterian tradition. Prospective students should distinguish that institutional history from the requirements of a particular major, which are set by the current academic catalog.

What are the faculties and departments at Whitworth University?

Whitworth offers undergraduate majors and graduate programs across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, health-related fields, and theology. Its academic organization includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences.

Undergraduates can explore fields such as biology, computer science, English, psychology, nursing, business, and music. Graduate offerings include programs in areas such as education and business. The School of Continuing Studies provides options intended for adult and nontraditional students. Degree requirements, clinical placements, and admission procedures can differ substantially by program, so applicants should use the catalog for the credential they intend to pursue.

Reported enrollment corresponds to an approximately 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. That institution-wide figure describes scale, not the size of every course or the availability of a particular professor.

What is the location of Whitworth University?

Whitworth is in Spokane, Washington, on a campus north of the city center. Students have access to a residential campus while remaining within reach of Spokane-area employers, health care facilities, cultural venues, and outdoor recreation.

The location matters differently for residents and commuters. Students traveling between campus, work, and off-campus housing should check routes and schedules rather than assume every destination is convenient without a car. Spokane International Airport is the principal airport for longer-distance travel. Whitworth's undergraduate experience is centered on its Spokane campus, although individual programs may use off-campus placement sites or other instructional arrangements.

What is the mission and vision of Whitworth University?

Whitworth describes its educational mission as integrating Christian faith and learning while preparing students for lives of service. The university is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); its religious identity is therefore relevant to its curriculum and campus programming.

That identity does not, by itself, describe every student's beliefs or experience. Applicants who want to understand how faith-related expectations affect a particular degree should examine its curriculum and the university's current community policies. Whitworth's stated priorities are institutional aims, not independent measures of educational outcomes.

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Whitworth University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Whitworth University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Suburb: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (Presbyterian Church)

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

4-1-4

Foundation year

1890

Whitworth University Accreditation

Whitworth 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.

Whitworth University Programs and Degrees

iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 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.

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