Willamette University
Salem, OR
Salem, OR
Turn knowledge into action
Willamette University prepares you for your future and launches you into a life of purpose, leadership and impact. Located in Oregon’s capital city, just an hour from Portland, Willamette offers the best of the Pacific Northwest: intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, environmental sustainability and a welcoming, tight-knit community.
Willamette students are the kind of people who care deeply and act boldly. They build lasting connections with faculty mentors, dig into real-world research, and get hands-on experience through internships at places like the Oregon State Capitol, which is located directly across the street from campus. Whether you want to influence public policy, start a nonprofit, become a scientist, or design a better world through art and innovation, you’ll find the support and opportunity to thrive here.
With 50+ majors and many graduate degrees in areas like law, business, art, data science, and computer science, Willamette offers a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where learning leads to leadership. Students participate in faculty-mentored research, launch sustainability initiatives at our 305-acre forest, and contribute to more than 80 student-led organizations that shape life on campus.
More than 25% of students participate in one of Willamette’s 20 NCAA Division III varsity teams. From football and cross country to tennis, swimming, and volleyball, athletics here is about balance, teamwork, and growth. Club and intramural sports round out a vibrant campus culture where you can compete, explore, and connect.
Our motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” drives everything we do. Willamette students start making an impact right away. That’s why we’re one of the original Colleges That Change Lives and why our alumni include CEOs, Fulbright scholars, artists, and public servants making a difference around the world.
If you’re ready to turn your curiosity into action and your ideas into impact, Willamette is ready for you.
|
#77 in National Liberal Arts Colleges | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
|
|
#70 in Best Value Schools | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
|
|
#2 in Best Colleges for Veterans | U.S. News & World Report |
|
|
Recognized for a rich array of hands-on experiences, honest mentorship, and liberal learning that cultivates critical thinking and values | Colleges That Change Lives, 2025 |
Willamette University is located in Salem, Oregon, the capital city and heart of the Willamette Valley. Our 60-acre campus sits directly across the street from the Oregon State Capitol, giving students unparalleled access to internships, research opportunities, and civic engagement. Surrounded by lush forests, rivers, and mountains, Salem offers a peaceful, green setting with easy access to Portland, just an hour away. Whether you’re into hiking, politics, art, or coffee culture, Willamette’s location puts it all within reach.
Step onto Willamette’s campus and you’ll feel a sense of place, purpose, and possibility. Nestled in the heart of Oregon’s capital city and framed by towering sequoias, our historic campus is beautiful and alive with curiosity, creativity, and community.
Take a guided tour, chat with current students, meet our inspiring faculty, and imagine yourself here.
Visit in person: https://willamette.edu/admissions/visit
Explore our virtual tour: https://tours.covecreekproductions.com/willamette-university
"I really love going to a liberal arts college. I can [combine] those courses with my computer science knowledge and technical skills to make something that is helpful for everyone."
“Willamette encourages connection and collaboration that help shape you into the person who can take the lead and shape your own path. The inclusive environment provides you the space to be your true, authentic self.”
“At Willamette, I began to understand who I am—that being in a community with one another is everything in this world, and that the only thing that truly has value is our connections with one another.”
“Willamette gave me the space to explore my interests and grow into a well-rounded person who is ready to take the next step. Doing research with professors has helped me build confidence in my research skills and my ability to succeed in graduate school.”