Willamette University

Willamette University For almost 200 years, Willamette has helped students turn their knowledge into action. Willamette’s location is unmatched.

Willamette, the first university in the West, is an innovative leader powered by rigorous education, groundbreaking scholarship and original thinking. Willamette provides a learning environment where subjects converge and collide, teaching students to generate new ideas across industries and preparing them for the careers of the future. Based in Salem and Portland, Oregon, Willamette encourages st

udents to pursue diverse interests through an array of experiential learning opportunities. Willamette offers study abroad programs in more than 45 countries and awards more than 75 undergraduate research grants annually. Whether our students are designing cancer-fighting molecules on campus or analyzing ecosystems in South Africa, they’re creating knowledge that enhances our understanding of the world. The state Capitol and numerous state agencies are right across the street, giving students opportunities to spearhead legislation, intern with the Governor’s Office and work with the state’s top scientists and economists. Students can also gain professional experience through internships in the greater Willamette Valley. Our 305‐acre forest and outdoor laboratory at Zena offers students another unique space to perform scientific research with faculty and find inspiration for their music and art. Willamette’s campus is also co‐located with Tokyo International University of America, providing opportunities to explore international culture through social, language and living exchanges. Our commitment to civic engagement is embodied in the university motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.” The Willamette community contributes more than 70,000 service hours annually, helping people throughout the Salem community and partnering with organizations across the globe. We believe ideas bring us together, and that caring for each other helps us live meaningful lives. Our diversity makes us stronger, and our achievements help us promote the common good in an interconnected world. Willamette’s students and alumni rise to the top, earning more than 100 of the country’s most competitive grants and fellowships in the past decade. Our alumni include a Nobel Prize-winning economist, corporate presidents and CEOs, top scholars, nationally recognized artists, 15 Oregon Supreme Court justices and numerous Fulbright Grant winners. Willamette offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and programs in the College of Arts & Sciences. The university is also home to the College of Law, the Atkinson Graduate School of Management and the Pacific Northwest College of Art, giving students access to degree paths that are unique not only in the region, but also in the nation. Business majors benefit from the exceptional quality of our undergraduate curriculum and the expertise of our MBA faculty, while public health majors have access to dedicated scholarships and specialized advising. Students interested in data science can choose from options at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including our signature 3+1 BS/MS dual-dual degree program. Colleges That Change Lives recognizes Willamette as one of 44 schools where students experience rich intellectual and personal growth, thanks to dedicated professors and lively, diverse experiences in and out of the classroom. Willamette’s commitment to innovative leadership has never been stronger, and our collaborative academic community empowers students to live their potential. Email your ideas for social media posts to [email protected]. Posts on Willamette University's social media are governed by the university's Social Media Policy and university conduct policies. For more information, go to willamette.edu/offices/comm/social-media/guidelines/index.html.

You deserve more than a college in the middle of nowhere 📍 “Our location matters,” said every college ever. But when the...
06/11/2025

You deserve more than a college in the middle of nowhere 📍

“Our location matters,” said every college ever. But when there’s nothing to do, nowhere to work, and no way home for break? That “location” starts to feel like a cornfield. At Willamette, you’re in the heart of Oregon’s capital with walkable opportunities all around you, not miles away.

Why Salem Is One of America’s Best Mid-Sized Cities 🏙️

Willamette’s main campus puts you in downtown Salem, close to mountains, coastlines, forests, and a growing job market. With affordable housing, public transit, and easy access to internships, you’ll get the full Pacific Northwest experience without getting stuck on the sidelines.

Read more about learning in the Pacific Northwest - https://willamette.edu/life-on-campus/learning-pnw

Check out HGTV’s list of the best mid-sized cities - https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/travel/best-mid-size-cities-in-the-united-states-pictures

06/10/2025
Just a few years ago, Cedric Coward was lighting up the court as a freshman on Willamette’s basketball team. Now, he's p...
06/10/2025

Just a few years ago, Cedric Coward was lighting up the court as a freshman on Willamette’s basketball team. Now, he's poised to be a first-round pick in the NBA Draft on June 25! We’re proud to be part of Cedric’s journey — from the classroom and the court at Willamette to the biggest stage in professional basketball. Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat!

06/10/2025
Calling all incoming first-years! It’s time to find your roommate! 🛏️✨Roommate request & matching opens today, June 9 an...
06/09/2025

Calling all incoming first-years! It’s time to find your roommate! 🛏️✨

Roommate request & matching opens today, June 9 and runs through June 22, all through the WU Housing Portal.

Want to live with someone you already know (or meet someone new)? During this step, you can search for and confirm a roommate, just make sure it’s mutual! 🙌

Prefer to be matched? No problem. We’ll pair you up based on your housing questionnaire answers.

Questions? Reach out to Residence Life and Housing:
📞 503-370-6212
📧 [email protected]

06/06/2025

University Hall, now Waller Hall, in the 1860s. The campus used to be fenced to prevent farm animals from wandering onto campus!🐄🐑🐎

A huge THANK YOU to all of our incredible Resident Advisors (RAs) at this year at Willamette! 🏡 Your dedication, leaders...
06/05/2025

A huge THANK YOU to all of our incredible Resident Advisors (RAs) at this year at Willamette! 🏡

Your dedication, leadership, and care help turn our residence halls into thriving, welcoming communities. From late-night duty shifts to building bulletin boards, planning events, and being a trusted resource, you make a difference every day.

RAs are more than just student leaders, they’re community builders, problem-solvers, and connectors who help every Bearcat feel seen, supported, and at home.

We’re so grateful for your hard work in making campus a place where respect, inclusion, and connection truly thrive. 🐾

06/05/2025

Williams Selected for NCAA Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement

A month ago, nine Willamette students joined the Office of Civic Engagement for our first immersive service experience -...
06/04/2025

A month ago, nine Willamette students joined the Office of Civic Engagement for our first immersive service experience - and it was an unforgettable week of learning, stewardship, and connection in Rock Creek, Montana!

Guided by our amazing partners at Rock Creek Protective Association and Five Valleys Land Trust, students got hands-on with habitat restoration, land stewardship, and maintaining public-access green spaces. They learned to: build fences, identify and remove invasive weeds, safely take down barbed wire, and maintain trails for safe, accessible recreation.

In between the hard work? Plenty of fishing, games, and meaningful bonding time. 🎣

We're proud of this crew for diving in, giving back, and growing as leaders. Stay tuned for more immersive experiences coming next year, you won’t want to miss them!

06/03/2025
Students Taking Action for the Earth 🌍Meet Castaway E.C.S., a student-led org at Willamette University committed to envi...
06/03/2025

Students Taking Action for the Earth 🌍

Meet Castaway E.C.S., a student-led org at Willamette University committed to environmental conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainability. 💪 Through education, advocacy, and hands-on service, they're making a real difference in our local environment — and inspiring others to do the same.

Here’s what impact really looks like:
👥 35+ student volunteers
🗑️ 4,000+ lbs of trash removed
💉 40+ syringes safely disposed
🛒 25+ shopping carts hauled out
🔋 200+ batteries cleared

This is what civic and ecological responsibility in action looks like. Let’s keep going.

Are you an incoming Bearcat this fall who just can't wait to start college and wants to come even earlier than Opening D...
06/02/2025

Are you an incoming Bearcat this fall who just can't wait to start college and wants to come even earlier than Opening Days? Then you should check out our Pre-Orientation program!

We are thrilled to launch the 2025 JumpStart: Catalyst Program - a powerful pre-orientation experience for new Salem campus students in partnership with LeaderShape.

Before classes begin, you’ll:
✨ Discover your authentic path
🤝 Connect with causes and communities you care about
⚡ Develop a plan to become a catalyst—for yourself and others

Through small-group dialogue, large-group sessions, and personal reflection, you’ll explore big questions like:
Who do I want to be?
How can I connect with others?
What path will lead to a fulfilling future?

This is your chance to join a supportive community of changemakers and kick off your college experience with purpose.

Priority application deadline: Monday, June 16

📧 Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Start something extraordinary before the semester even begins at Willamette University's Pre-Orientation Program JumpStart Catalyst Program. Learn more today.

Address

900 State St
Salem, OR
97301

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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Our Story

At Willamette University, talented faculty members inspire students to examine issues critically, think creatively and act effectively. Through our collaborative community and Pacific Northwest connections, we challenge students to transform knowledge into action — the foundation of a successful career and a meaningful life.

Our motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” inspires students, alumni and faculty to help each other, our communities and our world.

To prepare students to achieve such goals, Willamette offers 40 undergraduate majors and programs, as well as graduate degrees through the College of Law and Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

On our beautiful and historic campus, some 1,750 students discover it’s easy to forge friendships, find mentors, have fun and make a difference. More than 100 student organizations offer diverse cocurricular activities, while students live out our commitment to civic engagement through numerous service projects.