Address: Lighty Student Services Bldg, 99164 Pullman, Washington, United States
Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering
Washington State University was created by the state of Washington in 1890 as an agricultural college in Pullman, and teaching began there in 1892. The institution was renamed the State College of Washington in the early twentieth century and gained university status in 1959. It is the land-grant university of Washington under the Morrill Act of 1862, and its 2025 Carnegie Classification is listed as very high research spending and doctorate production.
Pullman is the main campus, and the university now works as a multi-campus system with locations in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Everett, plus a Global (online) campus. The Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver branches were established in 1989. In fall 2025 the whole system enrolled 25,477 students, of whom 21,400 were undergraduates, which leaves about 4,100 graduate and professional students.
Teaching and research cover agriculture and natural resources, business, education, engineering and architecture, nursing, pharmacy and veterinary medicine, including professional degrees in veterinary medicine, pharmacy and medicine. That spread reflects the land-grant mission of combining practical fields with the arts and sciences. Applicants who want current programme lists, entry requirements and fees should consult the official university website, since these change from year to year.
Domains taught:
Agriculture, AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Engineering, Life Sciences, Software Engineering
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Land-grant university in Washington state. Strong research in agricultural sciences, animal health, and clean technology. Multiple campuses across the state.
Research:
A research university with strengths in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, plant sciences, materials science, and power systems engineering.
Famous Alumnis:
Edward R. Murrow, Paul Allen (attended briefly), Gary Larson, John Elway (attended briefly before Stanford), Klay Thompson
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
6000
Current students***:
30000
Foreign students***:
5%
Cumulative former students***:
200000
Pros
Leading agricultural and veterinary programs, strong research in areas relevant to Washington’s economy, friendly campus atmosphere (Pullman).
Cons
Pullman is a remote college town, state funding can be variable, some programs less prominent than UW Seattle.
Best For
Students seeking strong programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, or communication at a major land-grant research university with a traditional college town atmosphere.
In Brazil, São Paulo State University (public) covers agriculture, mechanical engineering and biotechnology.
The University of Nottingham, a public university in the United Kingdom, combines pharmacy, engineering and agriculture.
Australia's La Trobe University at Bundoora is public, with agriculture among its listed fields.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When and why was Washington State University founded?
The state of Washington established it in 1890 as an agricultural college at Pullman, teaching started in 1892, and the present name dates from 1959. It was set up within the federal land-grant system created by the Morrill Act.
Where are the WSU campuses?
Pullman is the main campus. The system also has campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Everett, and a Global Campus that delivers programmes online.
How many students attend the university?
In fall 2025 the system enrolled 25,477 students, including 21,400 undergraduates. The remaining students, about 4,100, were in graduate and professional programmes.
Is WSU a public or private institution?
It is a public university and serves as the land-grant institution of Washington State. Public funding and its extension mission tie it closely to agriculture and rural communities.
Which professional degrees can be earned at WSU?
The university awards professional degrees in veterinary medicine, pharmacy and medicine. It also teaches nursing, business, education, engineering and architecture, and agricultural programmes.
Can I study with WSU without living in Pullman?
Yes, the Global Campus offers online study, and degree programmes are also taught at the Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver and Everett locations. Check which programmes are offered at which site before applying.
Where do I find tuition and admission information?
Costs and entry rules are published on the official WSU website and change each year. Applicants should check the current admissions and cost pages for their chosen campus.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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