Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Knowing about these frequently asked questions may help you support students and their families with confidence and clarity as they plan for college.

We are a Seventh-day Adventist community where students are known, supported, and encouraged to grow in every dimension of life. We build faith here through intentional Christ-centered experiences, genuinely caring mentors, and a campus culture that invites students to live out their walk with Jesus. We pair that spiritual focus with excellent academics, meaningful relationships, and abundant opportunities for service, leadership, and career preparation. It’s a place where students are equipped for lives of mission, impact, and purpose.

We start by offering engaging academic classes from experts focused on nurturing discovery and building faith. Students can choose from a wide selection of classes, such as Ministry of Jesus, Biblical Perspectives on Healing, Christian Beliefs, Women in the Bible, Introduction to Faith and Ministry, and History of Adventism.

Outside of the classroom, students are surrounded by a Christ-centered community where worship (15 opportunities every week), small groups, chaplain-led programs, mission opportunities (dozens serve as student missionaries every year), and student-led ministries help them stay connected to Jesus and live out their faith. Through vespers, campus ministries, service projects, Bible studies, and intentional mentorship, students find a supportive spiritual home that encourages them to seek and find their own personal relationship with God. That’s how we build faith here.

Our campus is known for its vibrant community where students from many backgrounds build lifelong friendships, grow together in faith, and participate in a wide range of activities. With more than 40 student-led clubs as well as plenty of organized social and spiritual events, athletics and intramurals, arts and music opportunities, and a supportive dorm life, students experience a close-knit community where they belong and have plenty of opportunities to explore interests, develop leadership skills, and participate in service.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who respect a Christian way of life and demonstrate academic readiness. The process includes submission of an enrollment application, transcripts, personal references, and test scores (if applicable).

Encourage students to connect with admissions counselors early. Learn more here.

Questions? Need help? Your dedicated recruiter can help you support your students and their families: Carlos Martinez at carlos.martinez@wallawalla.edu or (509) 527-2327.

Many families are surprised to learn that out-of-pocket cost is much lower than the published sticker price. Nearly all students—95 percent—qualify for scholarships and/or other forms of financial aid, making the typical out-of-pocket cost just around $7,000 per year. For those who qualify, grants like the NPUC Partnership Grant further reduce costs. We offer tools to help families estimate costs quickly and financial aid counselors are standing by to walk families through options that fit their situation. Clear, honest conversations early in the process usually ease financial concerns.

We offer more than 100 degrees in the liberal arts, sciences, health professions, business, education, engineering, and more. The university’s rigorous and supportive academic environment prepares students to enter careers, graduate programs, and mission work. Many programs include internships/experiential learning opportunities at some of the largest companies in the region, including CBS, Disney, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Recent graduates are enjoying successful careers at top companies and organizations across the country, including Amazon, Columbia, Alaska Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, Adventist Health, to name a few.

Alongside a full suite of spiritual programming, WWU supports emotional and mental health through counseling and wellness services and provides support to students through disability support services, career preparation, academic guidance, student development programming designed for whole person care, and mentorship opportunities. All freshmen receive 30 minutes of mentoring per week during fall quarter by more than 45 professional mentors with specialized training to help students succeed. Our goal is to help every student navigate college life with resilience and confidence.

Our expectations reflect our Adventist heritage, emphasizing respect, wholesome living, and spiritual integrity. The campus maintains a supportive and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to pursue personal and spiritual growth. While celebrating diverse backgrounds, our campus community shares a commitment to Christian faith and mutual respect.

Dedicated admissions counselors, financial aid counselors, and academic advisors eager to connect with your students. If you’re unsure who to contact, reach out to Carlos Martinez at carlos.martinez@wallawalla.edu or (509) 527-2327.

You can help a student take an important step in choosing a college—making a campus visit. When you arrange a visit to WWU for qualifying students from your church, you will receive a stipend to boost your work (or for any other purpose).

Choose from an individual/group visit, or bring a group of your students for one of WWU’s U-Days events. Learn more about the Guide With Purpose Visit Stipend program for Pastors here.

We’re actively exploring additional ways to connect pastors with our departments to be partners in ministry, and we welcome conversations about future opportunities.

For pastors seeking advanced training, we offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Ministerial Leadership. This fully online, asynchronous program is designed to equip pastors with leadership, administration, and organizational skills for effective ministry. Go at your own pace; tuition scholarships and discounts may be available. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/mba.

Request a preacher or teacher for your church. Presenters have extensive experience engaging congregations and inspiring audiences. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/speaker.