4-Year Colleges and Universities

Baccalaureate programs culminate in a student earning a Bachelor’s Degree. Students typically spend the first two years of their baccalaureate study taking general university requirements in a variety of subject areas. The last two years are generally spent taking classes in the student’s major field of study.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has admission requirements for freshmen at all 10 public baccalaureate institutions in Washington State: Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College, University of Washington (Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma), Washington State University (Pullman, Vancouver and Tri Cities) and Western Washington University. Please review College Entrance Requirements on the following pages.

The high school College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) on the following pages are also typical of those required by public four-year colleges and universities across the nation. In addition, the public Washington State institutions named above may each have subject-area requirements which go beyond these minimum standards. BE CERTAIN TO CHECK ON THE SPECIFIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SCHOOL IN WHICH YOU ARE INTERESTED.

Admission officers note the following criteria are reviewed in accepting applicants for admission:

1. The Academic Rigor of courses the student has taken for four years compared to what his/her high school offers.

2. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

3. SAT or ACT scores (may be optional due to COVID-check each school)

4. Awards and Honors

5. Leadership positions, activities and community service.

6. The student’s personal essay and response to specific questions.

All Washington State public universities have agreements with the state’s community colleges regarding admission and transfer of credits. Consult individual admissions offices for details.