You Don’t Come To Willamette To Disappear Into The Crowd
You come here to build lasting relationships by living alongside your friends and getting to know your professors. You come here to take the lessons you learn in the classroom and use them to make a difference. You come here because you want the opportunity to pursue the projects that matter to you.
The Opposite of Getting Lost in the Shuffle
When we talk about small class sizes at Willamette, that’s more than just a stat. It’s fundamental to our approach to academics.
I love how personalized my classes are. I am constantly engaged in group discussions with my peers and individual mentorship from my professors.”
– Agustina Hunziker ’27
Get All of Your Willamette Questions Answered
Your Willamette professors are committed to helping you succeed and because they are able to get to know you personally, they can offer individual guidance and mentorship that match your goals. There are no lecture halls at Willamette. Instead, there are intimate classroom settings and communal work spaces designed to foster conversation – we call them hearths!
WILLAMETTE AT A GLANCE
1,721
Total undergrad enrollment 12:1 Student to faculty ratio
35K+ Alumni worldwide
23.5% First generation students
When you choose Willamette, you choose a campus that is small enough to navigate without feeling overwhelmed, but big enough to provide the resources and connections you need to gain a unique, meaningful experience.
in What Matters to You
Delve into a single subject or supplement your studies with a minor or double major. Whether you choose a STEM field or the humanities, Willamette’s academic programs offer hands-on learning that will prepare you for life after graduation.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
AI Engineering Minor
AI Studies Minor
American Ethnic Studies Minor
Archaeology Major/Minor
Art History Major/Minor
Arts, Technology & Multimedia Minor
Asian Studies Minor
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Major
Biology Major/Minor
Business Major/Minor
Chemistry Major/Minor
Chinese Studies Minor
Cinema Studies Major/Minor
Civic Communication & Media
Major/Minor
Classical Studies Major/Minor
Computer Science Major/Minor
Data Science Major/Minor
Accelerated Programs
Already thinking about grad school? Get ahead of your peers. Save a year of time and tuition by earning both your undergraduate and graduate degrees on an accelerated timeline.
The availability of a range of graduate programs through Willamette allows you to develop long-term plans for your education and career. Even if you haven’t yet decided if graduate school is part of your plans, the option to pursue an accelerated track will be available to consider once you arrive at Willamette and refine your goals.
Economics Major/Minor
Economics, Quantitative Major
Engineering & Applied Science Special Program
English Major/Minor
Environmental Science Major/Minor
Exercise & Health Science Major
Finance Minor
French & Francophone Studies
Minor
German Studies Minor
Global Cultural Studies Major/Minor
Health Professions Special Program
History Major/Minor
Individualized Major Major
Industrial Engineering Major
International Studies Major
Japanese Studies Major/Minor
Latin American Studies Minor
Mathematics Major/Minor
Music Major/Minor
Philosophy Major/Minor
Physics Major/Minor
Politics, Policy, Law & Ethics
Major/Minor
Pre-Law Special Program
Psychology Major/Minor
Public Health Major/Minor
Religious Studies Major/Minor
Russian Minor
Sociology Major/Minor
Spanish Major/Minor
Statistics Major/Minor
Studio Art Major/Minor
Sustainability Minor
Theatre Major/Minor
Theatre, Musical Major
Women’s & Gender Studies Major
BA/MBA (Business Management)
BS/MS Data Science
BA/MFA Fine Arts
BA/MA Critical Studies
Partnership Program in Forestry at Oregon State University or Duke University
Partnership Program in Engineering at Columbia University or Washington University in St. Louis
BA/JD (Law)
We Expect You to Have More Than One Interest. In Fact, We See It as a Strength.
At Willamette, we give you the support and flexibility to follow your interests and explore how different fields connect. Through a liberal arts education, you will gain the skills employers value most, including critical thinking, teamwork, and strong communication.
When you arrive at Willamette, you'll begin classes and conversations that will help clarify your path. And without any separate applications required, you'll have access to every academic department. No restrictions. No limitations.
Learn more about our academic programs
Learning and evolving as a person can occur in a multitude of locations, subjects, and specialties. Willamette offers students the flexibility to grow into as many directions as they like.
Don’t Know What You Want To Study Yet?
There's no pressure to know what you want to study when you apply for admission - we'll help you sort that out when you get here.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO:
Chat with professors and students from different departments
Join student-run clubs to explore your interests
Take classes across academic subjects
Talk through your options with your faculty advisor
Visit with an advisor from the Career Center
I’m really interested in the intersection of Environmental Science and Public Health. [The Climate Change and Health] course has shown me that these topics can be integrated and meaningfully applied in the real world.”
– Robin Linares ’28
Athletic Rigor and Academic Excellence
At Willamette, as a Division III student athlete, you can compete at the collegiate level while still having the freedom to explore everything else college should offer, from internships and student leadership to the arts, research with faculty, and study abroad.
What makes Willamette different is how academics and athletics connect. Here, student athletes turn classroom learning into projects, practical problem solving, and hands-on experiences that can shape both their college years and their future careers.
From the Classroom to the Competition
A group of Willamette data science student athletes put their skills to work on something they cared deeply about: Bearcat soccer. They built an interactive dashboard that helped the team visualize match data, spot patterns in performance, and turn those insights into smarter strategy on the field. It was a chance to apply technical skills in a realworld setting, contribute to their team, and explore how academic interests can open doors beyond college athletics.
I’m very interested in pursuing a career in the sports industry focused on data analytics and performance analysis, and Willamette helped me strengthen my ability to translate technical analysis into insights while having to account for the real-world context of the sport.”
– Jackson Garro BS/MS
’26
W
M/W Softball W Swimming M/W Tennis M/W
Track and Field M/W
Triathlon W
Volleyball W
Not looking for the varsity route? Willamette’s club sports offer another way to compete, stay active, and find your people. From rugby and pickleball to ultimate frisbee and Nerf Club, there are plenty of ways to get involved, have fun, and be part of a team. Connect With Bearcat Athletics
Willamette University's Department of Theatre has received national recognition as the nation’s top college theater program offering bachelor of arts degrees.
Embracing the Arts at Willamette
Ask Us Anything About the Arts at Willamette
Participation in the arts is not limited to students majoring in fine art, theatre, and music.
Our interdisciplinary approach means everyone can get involved.
WHO CAN PERFORM? EVERYONE.
At Willamette, you don’t have to be a music major to get involved with university-sponsored and student-run musical ensembles, from a capella groups to orchestras.
Gain performance experience by joining one (or more!) of our music ensembles:
A Cappella Groups
Chamber Choir
Chamber Music
Dramatic Vocal Arts
Experimental Ensemble
Jazz Combos
Pacific Rim Symphony Orchestra
Put Your Talents on Stage
Every year, Willamette puts on multiple stage shows from classic and contemporary plays to musical theatre productions and operas. Each of these shows offers students, majors and non-majors alike, opportunities on stage and behind the scenes. And if dancing is your passion, Willamette Dance Co. is our largest student-run organization, welcoming dancers of all backgrounds and forms to take part in twice-annual productions.
Immerse Yourself in Fine Arts
Willamette students can explore a wide range of visual art mediums in our studio art facilities, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. As the only liberal arts college art museum in the Pacific Northwest, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art not only offers Willamette students the opportunity to study works of art; it gives them a space to display their own.
Willamette is so great because they really emphasize having the well-rounded experience, which I’m so grateful for because then you get involved both onstage and backstage.”
– Zelda Stein ’27
Percussion Ensemble
Sonic Art Ensemble
Voce
Vox
Waller String Quartet
Willamette Jazz Collective
Willamette Singers
Ready to learn from professors who see your potential and help you turn it into action? At Willamette, you’ll not only acquire knowledge— you’ll transform it into meaningful achievements that set you apart.
These research experiences at Willamette have helped me foster the skills that will undoubtedly be at the forefront of my NOAA internship and future career path.”
– Ella Ashford ’25
Just Single-Handedly Saving the Ocean
One double major proved that you can build on your experience at Willamette. Going into her sophomore year, Ella Ashford earned a College Colloquium Student Research Grant to fund a project aimed at restoring the coastal ecosystem off Washington state. The success of that project helped Ella secure a Hollings Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read More Student Stories
Your Classes, Minus the Classroom
Willamette courses are characterized by real-world application. From field-testing drone technology to handling historical documents in the State Archives, every year Willamette students have gone outside the classroom and gained practical experience that has bolstered their resumes and grad school applications.
Big Projects. Big Impact. The Right Kind of Mentorship.
Mentorship is more valuable than authority. At Willamette, your professors aren’t here to tell you what to do. Their goal is to offer the guidance and support you need as you pursue projects and research that you feel compelled to explore.
We went inside the Oregon State Penitentiary for my ‘Reforming Criminal Justice’ class. We got to learn from adults in custody what the criminal justice system is like for them and how they can interact with restorative and transformational justice systems. So I’ve been able to, from my undergraduate career, pick up what criminal justice is like from that side, and from my law education and clerkship, see the prosecution and state side. It’s preparing me in a unique way for my career.”
– Colby Alexander BA ’24, JD ’26
Make the World Your Campus
No matter your major, a study abroad program is a great way to enhance your education, gain new perspectives, and experience independence.
Willamette offers more than 70 study abroad programs in over 45 countries, with options ranging from a few weeks to a full semester, and during the summer, too. Programs are designed to support both language and cultural exchange, as well as English-taught coursework in specific fields, such as our Democratic Institutions and Citizenship program in Strasbourg and the Icelandic Environments program in Iceland.
Learn More About Study Abroad at Willamette
Stay Connected While You’re Abroad
When you enroll in a Willamettesponsored study abroad program, you can use your financial aid award to continue to pay for your studies while you are in another country.
We also offer scholarships specifically designated for international study. The Yocom
Scholarship is available to any student who has financial need while the Hoffman Scholarship is offered to students majoring in a foreign language.
While abroad, you will have access to university support both on-site and here in Oregon. And all credits earned while abroad will apply toward graduation requirements.
70+ STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES. A SHORT LIST OF POPULAR DESTINATIONS:
Build Your Resume Before You Need One
Our new Career Center is located right at the heart of campus. You will literally walk by it every day. That’s very intentional.
Career preparation is not an afterthought at Willamette. It’s why you’re here. We’ve invested in our Career Center to provide you with personalized support to connect you with internship and leadership opportunities that will ensure our students graduate with a strong resume.
See How Willamette Prepares You
Career Guidance Tailored to Your Field
Each of the advisors in our Career Center has a specialized area of focus and specifically work with students studying within those majors. Working with a specific advisor within your field means receiving expert guidance that translates directly to your future career.
As your advisor gets to know you, they will be able to help you connect with internships, fellowships, and potential jobs that are suited to your goals.
Career Development Courses
Your major will help prepare you for the job. The Career Center will help you land the job.
Every semester, the Career Center offers courses and workshops that will equip you with the practical skills you need to navigate the job market. From participating in mock interviews to exploring career options, these courses are designed to give you the confidence you need for life after graduation.
The most memorable part of my internship experience was how hands-on it was. I was very active in helping plan on what to do with the site and what we should be researching, and being given a large amount of trust and responsibility was amazing and incredibly beneficial.”
– Julian Bullwinkel ’28
No, the Other Salem
We understand the confusion, though.
Big cities have great learning opportunities, but it can be hard to find community. Small towns offer community, but are light on opportunities. Salem provides the best of both worlds: a capital city with a college town vibe.
Here are some highlights of living in Salem:
Campus is part of downtown, making it easy to walk to local restaurants, coffee shops, vintage stores, and the farmer’s market.
Enjoy the outdoors without having to go far. Riverfront Park offers local recreation and Minto-Brown Island Park is bigger than Central Park in New York.
The Capitol Building is right across the street from campus – no other college in the country is closer to a State Capitol. That means internships and networking opportunities are across the street, not across the state.
And if all of that isn't enough, we've got three words: cherry blossom season.
DOWNTOWN
OPT OUT(SIDE)
Between your studies, you can spend your free time enjoying the outdoor recreation the Pacific Northwest is known for.
The Outdoor Program organizes excursions year-round so you can explore the region and participate in activities such as hiking, kayaking, and snowboarding while bonding with your peers. Even if you haven't had the chance to spend much time outdoors before!
These favorite destinations are only a car ride away:
Hike the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park (32 minutes away)
Ski or snowboard on Mt. Hood (89 minutes away)
Explore tidepools and trails along the Oregon coast (62 minutes away)
Kayak on the Willamette River (10 minutes away)
I love how quaint downtown Salem is. There are so many cute coffee shops to hang out in or do homework in. They’re all so cozy and so adorable.”
– Brooke Austin ’27
See the Campus Behind the Stories
A campus visit is the best way to find out if Willamette is the right school for you.
You can only understand why a fountain with eagles on it is called the Chicken Fountain when you see it in person. And you can only truly get a feel for the beauty and spirit of Willamette’s campus when you visit.
Get a Glimpse of Life at Willamette
In addition to year-round campus tours, we host events that invite prospective students to Willamette. Join us for Cardinal & Gold Day in the fall or Junior Preview Day in the spring to experience campus, learn what Willamette has to offer, and get in-depth advice that will help you find success in your college search.
Don’t Forget to Redeem Your Travel Voucher
To help make a campus visit accessible, prospective students who schedule a campus visit through the Office of Admissions during their senior year of high school are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500 in travel expenses. Learn more online when you book your visit.
Events for Prospective Students
YOUR WILLAMETTE CAMPUS TOUR CHECKLIST
☐ STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAR TREES
☐ ASK YOUR TOUR GUIDE WHY YOU SHOULDN’T STEP ON THE SEAL
☐ TAKE A PHOTO IN FRONT OF THE CHICKEN FOUNTAIN
☐ FIND OUT WHAT LETTER THE MILL STREAM IS SHAPED LIKE
☐ KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THE OREGON ROCK
☐ GUESS WHICH BUILDINGS ARE RUMORED TO BE HAUNTED
Schedule an In-Person or Virtual Visit
Clear Steps, No Stress
We’re here to guide you through every step of the college application process, helping you move from start to finish with clarity and confidence.
Good-To-Knows About Applying to Willamette
• If you feel your test scores will contribute positively to your application, we encourage you to submit them. Applying without your test scores - 65% of our applicants do - will not negatively impact your offer of admission, scholarship, or financial aid.
• There is no application fee.
• If you have any questions about Willamette or the application process, your admissions counselor is here to help.
Good-To-Knows About Affording Willamette
• Families should plan to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for Willamette, state, and federal grants (that don't need to be repaid), student loans, and some additional scholarships.
• Every admitted student is automatically considered for merit scholarships, which can be stacked on top of other financial aid.
Start Your Application Today
• Our merit scholarships are based on everything you’ve included in your application, not just your GPA.
• Willamette's Competitive Scholarships are based on interests, skills, or academic background and require a separate application. These are stacked on top of merit scholarships awarded at the time of admission.
• If you receive scholarships from other organizations or sources, we’ll stack those on top of your Willamette financial aid offer, too.
Transferring to Willamette
If you've graduated from high school and enrolled at a twoor four-year college, here's what you should know:
• Apply using the Willamette Transfer Application on our website.
• Submit an essay that highlights your writing and communication skills.
• Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities you've previously attended.
Willamette accepts a maximum of 64 transferable semester credits from your previous college coursework. Contact us to schedule a transfer advising appointment if you'd like to know more about how your credits will transfer.
Transfer students are eligible for merit scholarships based on their application for admission and need-based aid through the FAFSA.
FIRST YEAR APPLICATION CHECKLIST
☐ Common Application or Coalition with Scoir, including an essay and specific questions for Willamette.
☐ School report and counselor recommendation
☐ Official high school transcript
DEADLINES
EARLY ACTION
• Non-binding: This means you do not have to commit right away if admitted. You can submit an early action application to multiple schools.
• Deadline: November 1
• Receive decision by mid-December
• Confirm enrollment by May 1
• Earn an additional annual scholarship of $1,000
EARLY DECISION
• Binding: This means you must attend if admitted. You can only submit one early decision application to one school.
• Deadline: November 1
• Receive decision by mid-December
• Confirm enrollment by January 15
• Earn an additional annual scholarship of $1,000
REGULAR DECISION
• Non-binding
• Deadline: January 15
• Receive decision by mid-February
• Confirm enrollment by May 1
• Earn an additional annual scholarship of $500
SPRING
• Deadline: November 1
• Receive decision by mid-November
• Confirm enrollment by December 11
FALL TRANSFER
• Deadline: April 15
• Confirm enrollment by May 1
