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U.S. Post Office-PullmanU.S. Post Office-Pullman · Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Pullman

Pullman is a college town: 45 of every 100 residents are students

Washington State University (22,360 students on campus) is inside the city. Across Washington, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town45% of residents are studentsWashington State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Pullman. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
33,138 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Washington State
Residents in college
45%
Above WA (6%)
Nearest community college
65.6 mi
Spokane · $5,461 tuition
Nearest public university
0.5 mi
Washington State · $13,391 in-state
Students on campus in Pullman
22,360
next to 33,756 residents

What stands out about college in Pullman

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town45 of every 100 Pullman residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Washington.A university in PullmanWashington State University has 22,360 students on campus in Pullman, 60% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Washington StateLiving in Washington, Washington State University charges $13,391 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $29,950. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 65.6 miles awaySpokane Community College in Spokane: tuition and fees $5,461 a year for Washington residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Pullman

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

45 of every 100 Pullman residents are in college (WA: 6).

22,360students on campus at Washington State University, next to 33,756 residents (dorm students count as residents)
8,696college students live in Pullman households rather than dorms
23.2median age · WA 38.3
51%of residents are men · WA 50% (±0.9 points)
68%of homes rented · WA 36%
$1,062median rent · 40% below the state
Cost of living$1,062/mo median rentD−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIBHealthCDC estimatesA−Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundC+HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Pullman’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C+

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 30.5% of Pullman residents are below the poverty line, 13.6% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 6 points either way). 63% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living D−

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (45% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health A−

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Pullman’s median age is 23.2 (Washington 38.3), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Pullman

One private college within 7.9 miles, and two public colleges within 7.3 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miWashington StateUniversity of IdahoNew Saint Andrews CollegePullman
University or collegeCommunity college
Washington State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 22,360 on campus · In Pullman87%admitted$15knet price60%graduate$69kearningsUniversity of IdahoUniversity or college · Public · 10,452 on campus · 7.3 mi · Moscow, ID76%admitted$15knet price57%graduate$55kearningsNew Saint Andrews CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 326 on campus · 7.9 mi · Moscow, ID84%admitted74%graduate

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Pullman’s median household income ($46,812) falls.

Washington State UniversityIn Pullman · sticker $27,648$8,971a year
University of Idaho7.3 mi · Moscow, ID · sticker $23,738$11,193a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Pullman: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Washington StateUniversity of Idaho
Washington State University60% graduate$69k earnings$20k typical debt
University of Idaho57% graduate$55k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Pullman

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Washington State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 18%Social sciences 10%Biology 9%Engineering 8%Psychology 8%Communication 7%Everything else 38%

Biggest programs

Psychology, General513 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing351 graduates a year
$91k4 yrs out
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication262 graduates a year
$68k4 yrs out
Biology, General243 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Social Sciences, General233 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Marketing230 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering221 graduates a year
$94k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods218 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Pullman

Is Pullman a college town?

Yes. 45 of every 100 Pullman residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Washington. Washington State University has 22,360 students on campus, next to 33,756 residents.

What colleges are in Pullman?

Washington State University is inside the city. Spokane Community College is 65.6 miles away in Spokane.

Why is Pullman’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 30.5% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 13.6% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 6 points).

What is the closest community college to Pullman, and what does it cost?

Spokane Community College in Spokane, 65.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,461 a year for Washington residents; the federal net price, $5,473, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into Washington State University?

Washington State University admitted 87% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Pullman. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →