Nine Amazing Reasons to Go to College in Spokane

You've probably researched all about the college you're interested in, but have you taken a moment to see what Spokane can offer you too? Read on for a list of reasons Spokane is a wonderful place to live, learn and enjoy life.

Outdoor Recreation. Mountains, lakes, rivers and trails provide the perfect setting for low-cost adventure. With our four-season climate, you can experience it all – from hiking, backpacking, biking and rock climbing; to skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing; to kayaking and paddle boarding. Universities' outdoors programs make it easy to explore new places, learn new skills and rent affordable gear. Popular spots within the city or right nearby include Mount Spokane State Park, Riverside State Park and the Centennial Trail.
Affordability. Remove some of the stress of paying for college by coming to Spokane, where the cost of living is lower than other big Northwest cities. The Spokane area is about 30 percent cheaper than the Seattle and Portland areas, according to Bankrate.com.
Community. It's easy to get plugged into the community. Spokane's well-connected and friendly, and the people you meet here can point you to the opportunities you're looking for – whether that's networking within a certain industry, joining a house of worship, volunteering at a charity, or getting plugged into the city's arts and culture scene.
Food. You won't be hungry or bored with Spokane's growing selection of eateries, many of which are affordable for college students. We have fun and trendy spots; a variety of international cuisine; classic establishments featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; locally sourced and organic dining; and an impressive number of vegan and vegetarian options. The city's many farmers markets are also popular hangouts for students looking to grab a fresh and local bite. It's no wonder Realtor.com put Spokane on its list of "America's New Foodie Towns."
Music and Arts. Spokane has a vibrant and growing music and arts scene. First Friday is a fun way to check out the many art galleries and music venues downtown. A nonprofit called Terrain hosts must-see events featuring artists of all ages. We have the critically acclaimed Spokane Symphony and the Spokane Civic Theatre, one of the country's oldest community theatres. Big national tours come here, too, between concerts at the Spokane Arena and musicals in the Best of Broadway series.
Sports. Sports lovers have much to love in this city. The Spokane Arena is home to a hockey team (the Chiefs) and indoor football team (the Shock). We also have a minor league baseball team (Spokane Indians). Each year, Spokane also goes all out with two sporting events that draw huge community participation: the Lilac Bloomsday Run and Hoopfest, the world's largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament.
Collaboration. With four universities in the area, Spokane can offer you opportunities beyond your own school, such as the ability to hear from speakers on other campuses and work together with student clubs. Opportunities for collaboration on research are particularly rich. Some universities have agreements to share state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, such as the new single-crystal X-ray diffractometer located at Whitworth University. The downtown University District, anchored by Washington State University's Spokane campus, is built for collaboration within the health sciences. And the annual Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference gives Whitworth and Gonzaga University students the chance to present their scholarship from across disciplines and develop scholarly community.
Study Spots. Spokane offers cozy and inspiring places to study. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we take pride in our coffee – and Spokane is no exception. We have an ever-growing number of coffee shops all around town where you can plug in your laptop and get to work. If studying outdoors is more your thing, you can bring your blanket to one of our many breathtaking parks (look up Riverfront Park and Manito Park and prepare to be amazed).
Easy Travel. So many weekend trips are within reach in Spokane. In a few hours, you can drive to the major metropolitan area of Seattle, the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, or even Canada, our nearby neighbors to the north. Plus it's only a short drive to beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene in scenic Idaho. Will you want to fly home or further away? You can reach Spokane's airport from downtown in 10 minutes, and it's quick to get through too.

At Whitworth University, we love our location in Spokane! Learn more about what Whitworth offers.