Western drives record FAFSA completion, improves retention and launches strategic growth plan

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Western drives record FAFSA completion, improves retention and launches strategic growth plan

October 9, 2025

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University (WWU) today released its official Fall 2025 Census Day enrollment. The total number of students stands at 14,564, of which more than 300 are College in the High School students. The new first-year class totals 2,690 students, about 319 fewer than last year's incoming class, which was one of the largest first-year classes in WWU's history. This year's shifts mirror statewide and national patterns at a time when affordability and proximity to home were deciding factors for many families.

Despite headwinds, WWU achieved its highest ever FAFSA completion rate at 88% of first-year students, ensuring broader access to financial aid. Transfer enrollment remained stable at around 875 students, and graduate enrollment held at approximately 800 students. First-year student retention is up slightly at 79.2%, and the highest since the 2020 pandemic cohort, consistent with long-term trends and signalling that once students choose Western, they continue making progress toward their degrees.

Building momentum through new initiatives

Looking ahead, Western is launching the Presidential Strategic Enrollment Growth Initiative 2025-26, announced last month. The initiative is a comprehensive plan to expand recruitment, broaden access, and strengthen student success.

WWU President Sabah Randhawa emphasized that it reflects both the university's values and Washington's needs: "We are streamlining admissions, expanding guaranteed pathways, and removing barriers so more students across Washington can see college as attainable. This work reflects our values, and it's how we meet the needs of our communities while living our mission of increasing student access and success among all of Washington's populations."

Randhawa added, "Our goal is to widen the entry into higher education for Washington students who might not have thought that a university education was possible. Western will be the university where those students find both opportunity and belonging, and where their success contributes directly to the vitality of our state and its communities."

About the initiative

• In a five-county pilot, the Western Guaranteed Admission Programwill give eligible high school graduates in Island, San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties with a 2.75+ GPA guaranteed admission beginning December 2025.
• Guaranteed Community College Transfer: New clear transfer pathways for students from Washington's community and technical colleges with a 2.5+ GPA.
• Expanded Recruitment and Engagement: Targeted outreach, on-the-spot admission, increased scholarship support, and enhanced campus visits to build connections with prospective students and families.

Goals

• Increase first-year and transfer enrollment at WWU for 2026-2027 to 3,200 and 1,200, respectively
• Simplify and clarify the admissions process for Washington families
• Expand outreach across Washington
• Support first-generation, underrepresented, and place-bound students
• Strengthen retention through advising and student support
• Grow in alignment with workforce and community needs

Media Contact:

John Thompson
Senior Director
WWU Office of University Communications
[email protected]