Western Washington University

Date: Apr 25 2006
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
Western is on the way up amongst Washington schools—it has passed WSU as of 2005. Why? Western is small, for one, and that allows for much interaction with faculty. The engineering dept. is very hands-on and widely known, the environmental studies is top-notch, befitting of WA state, and the history department is enviable. The Woodring School of Education at Western is the best place in WA state to get a teaching certificate, the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) performs cutting-edge research (often leading students to jobs at Boeing), and the computer science dept. has an excellent relationship with Microsoft.

The campus is gorgeous, unlike any other I've seen, full of trees, lots of greenspace, and incredible views of Bellingham Bay. And spring weather! Simply amazing: 70-77 degrees, cloudless with slight wind fresh off of the Bay. Winter weather is no different than Seattle drizzle, but Fall is somewhat warmer, with perhaps more rain. The air is crisp and fresh, thanks to the proximity of the ocean, and one edge of campus touches Sehome Hill, an undeveloped part of campus perfect for hiking, or enjoying a great view in the evenings (you can see Canada from the Look-out Point).

Students are friendly and open, if predominantly liberal, and the music/theater scene is great. Bellingham is a nice city, for that matter, and a young one at that. Many shops are local and independently-owned, such as Rudy's Pizzeria, the patron pizza-saint of every Western Viking. Parking can be a hassle downtown, but walking is great in Bellingham—it's a pretty city.