Willamette University Acceptance Rate
Salem, Oregon · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 4,107
- Admitted
- 3,249
- Yield
- 15.5%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Willamette University's acceptance rate has fallen from 81.3% in 2014–15 to 79.1% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 5,729 to 4,107 (-28%) over that period.
Its 79.1% rate makes Willamette University more selective than about 44% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 19 tracked Oregon schools, it is more selective than about 58%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (80.6% for women vs 76.3% for men, a 4.3-point gap). Willamette University has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 15.5% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 5,729 | 4,658 | 81.3% | 553 |
| 2015–16 | 6,332 | 4,935 | 77.9% | 521 |
| 2016–17 | 6,181 | 4,825 | 78.1% | 474 |
| 2017–18 | 4,484 | 3,995 | 89.1% | 440 |
| 2018–19 | 4,206 | 3,518 | 83.6% | 390 |
| 2019–20 | 3,972 | 3,095 | 77.9% | 371 |
| 2020–21 | 4,010 | 3,215 | 80.2% | 324 |
| 2021–22 | 3,680 | 2,930 | 79.6% | 260 |
| 2022–23 | 3,994 | 3,219 | 80.6% | 524 |
| 2023–24 | 4,107 | 3,249 | 79.1% | 504 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,441 | 1,967 | 80.6% |
| Men | 1,594 | 1,217 | 76.3% |
| Another gender | 72 | 65 | 90.3% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 630–730 | 26% |
| SAT Math | 590–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 27–32 | 13% |
How Willamette University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Willamette University's acceptance rate?
Willamette University's acceptance rate is 79.1% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (3,249 admitted of 4,107 applicants).
Is Willamette University test optional?
Willamette University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Willamette University?
Willamette University received 4,107 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 3,249.
What SAT score do you need for Willamette University?
Admitted students at Willamette University typically scored 630–730 on SAT Reading/Writing and 590–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Willamette University getting harder to get into?
Willamette University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 81.3% in 2014–15 to 79.1% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.willamette.edu/.