Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation

This comprehensive guide compares the 9 colleges and universities that comprise Western Athletic Conference (WAC), including detailed academic statistics, admission requirements, and enrollment data. Our comparison includes key metrics such as acceptance rates, SAT scores, graduation rates, student populations, and faculty ratios to help prospective students make informed decisions about their education.

Comprehensive Admission and Academic Comparison for Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Member Institutions

The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) includes a diverse mix of 6 public institutions and 3 private colleges, offering students a variety of educational environments and funding models. Among Western Athletic Conference (WAC) schools, the average acceptance rate stands at 79.15%, reflecting accessible admissions standards.
Chicago State University maintains the most selective admissions process with a 43.26% acceptance rate, while The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a more accessible admission rate of 94.19%.
Collectively, these Western Athletic Conference (WAC) member institutions serve a combined student population of 244,901 students. Grand Canyon University leads with the largest campus enrollment of 107,563 students, providing a large university experience, while Chicago State University offers a more intimate educational setting with 2,324 students.
Member schools achieve an average graduation rate of 50.22%, demonstrating strong student retention and success. The average student-to-faculty ratio across Western Athletic Conference (WAC) institutions is 17.00:1, ensuring quality educational interaction and personalized attention.
The comprehensive comparison table below presents detailed academic information, admission statistics, and key institutional facts for all Western Athletic Conference (WAC) member colleges.
Data includes acceptance rates, average SAT scores, total enrollment figures, and student-to-faculty ratios for the 2024-2025 academic year. Graduation rate statistics reflect outcomes from the 2023-2024 academic year, providing current and relevant information for prospective students and families.
Table. Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Academic Overview
Name Acceptance RateSAT ScoreGraduation RatePopulationStudent-Faculty Ratio
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA
93.85%-50%9,787 16:1 (6.25 %)
Chicago State University
Chicago, IL
43.26%-15%2,324 10:1 (10.00 %)
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
78.91%1,05543%107,563 21:1 (4.76 %)
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA
84.88%-62%11,407 20:1 (5.00 %)
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO
72.18%1,47055%15,277 14:1 (7.14 %)
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM
88.97%1,00055%14,779 15:1 (6.67 %)
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
76.92%1,31076%7,182 10:1 (10.00 %)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX
94.19%99051%31,931 19:1 (5.26 %)
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT
--45%44,651 28:1 (3.57 %)
Average79.15%1,16550.22%244,901 (Total) 17.00:1 (5.88 %)

Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimated Costs

The comprehensive tuition comparison table below presents the official 2024-2025 tuition and fees data for Western Athletic Conference (WAC), as published by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This authoritative data provides accurate cost information to help prospective students and families make informed financial decisions about their higher education investment.
Our 2025-2026 tuition estimates are calculated using a data-driven methodology that analyzes each institution's historical tuition trends and rate of change from the 2024-2025 academic year. These projections help students anticipate future education costs and plan their college budgets accordingly, though actual costs may vary based on institutional decisions and economic factors.
Among Western Athletic Conference (WAC), undergraduate tuition and fees average $27,290 for the 2024-2025 academic year. Seattle University represents the highest-cost option with annual tuition and fees of $56,721, while Chicago State University offers the most affordable undergraduate education at $12,757 per year. This significant cost variation reflects differences in institutional resources, geographic location, and educational offerings.
For graduate-level programs, the average tuition and fees among Western Athletic Conference (WAC) is $19,577 annually. Graduate students will find the highest tuition costs at University of Missouri-Kansas City with $32,298 in annual tuition and fees, while Grand Canyon University provides the most cost-effective graduate education option at $10,015 per year. These graduate program costs exclude living expenses, books, and additional fees that may apply to specific programs or specializations.
UndergraduateGraduate
Table. Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation
School Name 2025 Tuition & Fees2026 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
California State University-Bakersfield $8,087$20,687 $8,498 $21,861
Chicago State University $12,757$12,757 $12,760 $12,760
Grand Canyon University $18,508$19,843
California Baptist University $41,228$42,793
University of Missouri-Kansas City $13,371$32,271 $14,040 $33,885
New Mexico State University-Main Campus $8,183$25,307 $8,219 $25,343
Seattle University $56,721$59,266
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $9,799$19,645 $10,143 $19,749
Utah Valley University $6,507$18,489 $6,753 $19,172
Average$9,784$27,290$10,069$28,297
Table. Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 2025 Graduate School Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation
School Name 2025 Tuition & Fees2026 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
California State University-Bakersfield $9,611$19,691 $9,611$10,117
Chicago State University $10,294$16,162 $10,294$10,294
Grand Canyon University $10,015$9,017
California Baptist University $15,562$16,238
University of Missouri-Kansas City $13,726$32,298 $13,726$14,413
New Mexico State University-Main Campus $6,605$19,448 $6,605$6,631
Seattle University $24,216$37,127
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $8,589$15,971 $8,589$8,738
Utah Valley University $10,224$22,834 $10,224$10,762
Average$9,842$19,577$10,159$21,268