Walla Walla, WA · Private University
Is Whitman College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,589
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$61,492
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$61,492
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$245,968
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.10x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,437
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$35,506
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Whitman College graduates earn $22,589 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Whitman College ranked by graduate earnings
23 graduates
24 graduates
16 graduates
23 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Whitman College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Whitman College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $74,766) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $25,574) is $49,192/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $74,766 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $38,973 | 0.6x |
| Biology, General | $35,359 | 0.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $27,262 | 0.4x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $25,574 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitman College | 1.10x | $67,589 | Average ROI |
| Reed College | 0.94x | $62,927 | Below Average |
| Lewis & Clark College | 1.00x | $62,205 | Below Average |
| St Olaf College | 1.15x | $65,543 | Average ROI |
| University of Puget Sound | 1.16x | $69,594 | Average ROI |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | 1.21x | $65,607 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Whitman College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $67,589 10 years after starting, $22,589 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.