Washington State University was founded in 1890 as Washington Agricultural College. Enrollment began two years later; the school was coeducational from the start. In 1917 the name was changed to the State College of Washington. It was elevated to university standing in 1959.
WSU is one of just 115 U.S. colleges and universities—out of 4,600+ public and private institutions—named among doctoral universities with the “highest research activity” in the Carnegie Classification (2016).
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 9 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 397 | 416 | 425 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 87 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 466 | 423 | 510 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | 401 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
We’re here for you! We want you to succeed and meet your higher education goals. WSU provides a wide variety of student support services to help you along the way.
WSU offers free career counseling to all students, including those who have yet to apply to WSU. Whether you are interested in exploring career paths, or already have a career in mind and just want to learn how to get there, our dedicated career counselor is there to help.
Resident hall programs and events are excellent experiences. Hall staff and Student Hall Governments host a variety of programs such as floor dinners, movie/game nights, open mic nights, dances, sports, personal skill development, social justice awareness, and presentations from faculty. Programming through residence halls connects students to their community and to WSU.
With more than 2 million books, 30,000 journal subscriptions, electronic databases, 46,000 maps, internationally renowned special collections, and other rich resources, the Washington State University Libraries bring extraordinary vitality to the University's teaching and research programs.
Crimson Service Desk Helps Students Succeed. Student laptop rentals, assistance with virus removal, and more.
The student health fee supports the operation of Cougar Health Services and enables us to offer a comprehensive suite of services in one convenient on-campus location. Make sure you understand which of our services are covered by the health fee. The health fee is not an insurance plan.
We administer insurance for international students and graduate and professional students in health sciences.
6 campuses, 11 academic colleges, Extension offices in all 39 Washington counties and on the Colville Reservation, 4 research and extension centers.Living on the WSU Pullman campus is a game changer. It's not only convenient (live minutes from class!), you'll also have a built-in community and support from WSU (best landlord ever).
Sport clubs run by students give you even more opportunities to compete. One of the nation’s largest intramural programs! Join more than 6,000 participants in 75+ activities. No experience or skill needed. Just play.
Cheer on the Cougs in 11 sports: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track and field, golf, volleyball, swimming, cross country, rowing, and tennis.
Work out in the award-winning University Recreation Center. Personal trainers can help you start an exercise program and stay on track.
There are more than 300 registered student organizations (RSOs) at WSU, including international student associations. Whatever your interest is, there is a student club on campus for it. International and domestic students alike are welcome in all organizations.
WSU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). NWCCU oversees accreditation for most public institutions and some private institutions in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, and British Columbia. WSU has been continuously accredited since 1916.
Based on 36 reviews
Washington State University is a remarkable institution where you can seek assistance for any challenges you may encounter. Both the faculty and students are incredibly approachable and friendly. One aspect that stands out to me is the professors� teaching methods. They are always willing to assist us and employ various approaches to help us grasp the subject matter. Having been here for a while now, I can confidently say that I wouldn�t change anything about this school. I have noticed considerable improvements since my freshman year. The school offers great amenities conveniently located near classes.
Washington State University offers an exceptionally positive and supportive college experience, anchored by an approachable community of both faculty and students who are always willing to assist with any challenge. The academic environment is especially strong due to professors who utilize varied, effective teaching methods to ensure every student grasps the subject matter. This supportive culture, combined with the school's commitment to continuous improvement since freshman year and its provision of great, conveniently located campus amenities, makes WSU a truly remarkable institution that fosters academic growth and personal development without any compromise.
Washington State University empowered me to grow as both a thinker and a creator. The university�s dynamic academic environment, paired with inspiring faculty, encouraged me to tackle challenges with confidence and curiosity.WSU�s commitment to research, leadership, and industry engagement helped shape me into a well-rounded professional ready to make a meaningful impact.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
How helpful were your teachers?
How diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
How was your everyday life?
Did the university provide support for your career development?
Wishlist