Salem, OR · Private University
Is Willamette University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,911
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$48,268
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$48,268
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$193,072
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.18x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
72.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$23,663
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Willamette University graduates earn $11,911 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 Willamette University ranked by graduate earnings
17 graduates
29 graduates
24 graduates
28 graduates
42 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Willamette University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Willamette University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $80,077) and the lowest (Communication and Media Studies: $31,472) is $48,605/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $80,077 | 1.7x |
| Economics | $67,830 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,791 | 1.2x |
| History | $58,518 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $53,079 | 1.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,845 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $42,378 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $40,935 | 0.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $36,617 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General(1yr data) | $32,863 | 0.7x |
| Communication and Media StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $31,472 | 0.7x |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willamette University | 1.18x | $56,911 | Average ROI |
| University of Puget Sound | 1.16x | $69,594 | Average ROI |
| Lewis & Clark College | 1.00x | $62,205 | Below Average |
| Gonzaga University | 1.48x | $78,892 | Average ROI |
| Whitworth University | 1.15x | $58,561 | Average ROI |
| Seattle University | 1.39x | $75,272 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Willamette University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $56,911 10 years after starting, $11,911 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.8 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.