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Walla Walla University

College Place, WA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

1892
Founded
Private university
Type
1,214
Total Students
1,655
Undergrad
$51M
Endowment
(2025)
$33K
Tuition (In-State)
$33K
Tuition (Out-State)
$24K
Avg Net Price
64%
Graduation Rate
6-year
84%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Alex Bryan

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Walla Walla University

Walla Walla University: Pioneering Adventist education shaping leaders with diverse programs.

Walla Walla University, a private Seventh-day Adventist institution founded in 1892, stands as a cornerstone of holistic education in the Pacific Northwest. With a vibrant student body of 1,855, WWU is dedicated to nurturing intellectual curiosity, spiritual growth, and community engagement across its five diverse campuses. The university prides itself on a rich history of innovation and a commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers and lives of service.

From its origins as a consolidation of smaller Adventist schools, Walla Walla College quickly established itself as a leader in Adventist education. Under its early leadership, the institution championed a holistic approach to learning, becoming the first Adventist school to offer an exclusively vegetarian diet and emphasizing manual labor to support its operations. Despite initial financial challenges and even several fires, the college steadily grew, expanding its academic offerings and earning a reputation for its pioneering spirit within the Adventist system.

Academically, Walla Walla University boasts impressive strengths, particularly in science and health. It proudly established the first school of engineering in the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1947, a program that earned accreditation in 1971. The university also launched a significant nursing program through its first satellite campus in Portland, alongside popular programs in marine biology, aviation, and master's degrees in biology and education. Its journey to full college accreditation by 1935 marked a significant milestone, solidifying its position as a comprehensive higher education institution.

Today, Walla Walla University continues its legacy of academic excellence and student-centered learning. With its main campus fostering a close-knit community and additional campuses expanding opportunities in specialized fields, students benefit from a supportive environment and dedicated faculty. As it approaches its 130th year, WWU remains committed to its founding principles while adapting to the evolving needs of its students and the world, making it an engaging choice for prospective students seeking a well-rounded and purpose-driven education.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1892, establishing a long-standing legacy in higher education.
  • A private Seventh-day Adventist university with 1,855 students across five campuses.
  • Operates with a $0.1 billion endowment, supporting its academic mission and student resources.
  • Pioneered the first school of engineering within the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1947, achieving accreditation in 1971.
  • Became the largest Seventh-day Adventist college in the world by 1935.
  • Notable for being the first Adventist institution to allow a brass ensemble in church services (1895) and to offer an exclusively vegetarian diet.

Timeline

1892
Walla Walla College opened, consolidating three Adventist schools.
1895
Became the first Adventist institution to allow a brass ensemble in church services.
1909
Celebrated its first baccalaureate graduate, expanding to a full four-year college program.
1935
Achieved accreditation for its full college program; high school separated.
1947
Opened the first school of engineering in the Seventh-day Adventist church and its first school of nursing satellite campus.
1954
A second satellite campus opened at Rosario Beach for marine biology.
1971
The university's engineering school was granted accreditation.
2007
The institution was officially renamed Walla Walla University.
🏛️
134 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within Walla Walla University

⚙️

School of Engineering

Established in 1947 as the first engineering school in the Seventh-day Adventist church, achieving accreditation in 1971.

💉

School of Nursing

Opened its first satellite campus in 1947 at the Portland Sanitarium (today Adventist Health Portland).

Leadership

Alex Bryan
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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