IMPORTANT NOTE: On August 1, 2026, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency as fast-moving wildfires burn across the state, including multiple major blazes around Spokane. So far, Whitworth University has been spared. However, the campus is currently under an evacuation order due to the wildfires. Check official Whitworth communications for when the evacuation order is lifted and it is safe to visit.
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Whitworth University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Spokane, Washington. Founded by Presbyterian minister George F. Whitworth, it has a long-standing affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. The college is known for its motto “Education of Mind and Heart.”
Whitworth University (called Whitworth College until 2007) was founded in 1890 and has grown into one of the top regional universities in the western United States. It emphasizes rigorous academics, Christian formation, and a close-knit residential community. Ranked among the top regional universities in the West, Whitworth was ranked #1 Best Value in the Northwest by U.S. News & World Report (2026).
Academics
Whitworth University integrates faith and learning with curiosity and discovery, offering an education rooted in Presbyterian tradition. The school enrolls approximately 2,600 students. In addition to traditional classes on campus, Whitworth also offers online courses for those who prefer distance learning.
Whitworth offers 100+ undergraduate majors and graduate programs across arts & sciences, STEM fields (engineering, computer science, health sciences), business & economics, education, theology, and humanities. The university also offers pre-professional programs such as pre-medicine, pre-law, pre-engineering, and pre-teaching.
Whitworth University is most known for its humanities, but the college also has a rich history in STEM. “Whitworth is ABET accredited engineering, but you still have to take a bunch of core classes,” said engineering student Brodin Faser. “We found that it (core classes) helps with communication. It develops a person, rather than just an engineer. There’s also the religious element, which is not forced upon you, but it is open if you’re interested… So it’s less about churning numbers out through the university, and more about the students themselves and the personal growth that they can accomplish.”
Athletics
The Whitworth Pirates athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III, winning multiple Northwest Conference championships. Men can participate in football, golf, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, baseball, tennis, and Track & Field (indoor and outdoor). Women’s sports include volleyball, golf, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, basketball, swimming, softball, tennis, and Track & Field (indoor and outdoor).
Campus
Whitworth is situated on a 200‑acre suburban campus in northern Spokane, characterized by red-brick architecture, landscaped lawns, and scenic pine forests. The campus includes classroom buildings, traditional residence halls, themed living communities, an auditorium, outdoor amphitheater, athletic facilities like a field house and gymnasiums, as well as tennis courts and golf courses.
Whitworth’s newest addition as of Spring 2026 is the new PACCAR Engineering Building, a 20,000-square-foot building equipped with a clean room, design laboratories, prototyping space, a metal fabrication shop, and a computational lab.
The “Back 40” is a stretch of mostly undeveloped land north of campus, with several walking, running and mountain biking trails; a nine-hole Frisbee golf course; a practice soccer field; and the Pirates Cove Shelter & Amphitheater. The university also maintains a “U‑District” campus in downtown Spokane for adult and evening programs.
Student Life
Students are encouraged to participate fully in the academic, spiritual, and social life of the campus. The school also encourages its students to be active citizens by participating in service learning projects, internships, study abroad opportunities, and other activities outside of the classroom.
Whitworth University is home to numerous student organizations such as student government associations, religious groups like Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), and many clubs related to academics or hobbies such as photography or music production.
The university’s military members, veterans, and ROTC cadets have their own home on campus. The Military & Veterans Resource Center houses the veteran services offices, a computer lab, group study space, kitchen, game room, and relaxation areas.
Christian Mission
Whitworth’s Christian mission is not about imposing a single worldview, but about equipping students to think critically, live ethically, and serve humanity—all within a faith-centered, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment.
Homeschool Applicants
At Whitworth, you’ll find a supportive Christian community that values the educational background and diverse perspectives you bring as a homeschool student. The student-faculty ratio is 11:1, and most classes have fewer than 20 students. Whitworth offers a rigorous, personalized education; abundant opportunities for leadership and career preparation; and meaningful connections with classmates and professors. Whitworth also offers a home away from home, where campus safety a top priority.
Learn more here: https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/admissions/homeschool-students/
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