Walla Walla University
Walla Walla University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Walla Walla University at a Glance
Walla Walla University is a private Adventist university in College Place, Washington. The university has five campuses throughout the Pacific Northwest. It was founded in 1892 and is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
1892
134 years old
$51M
$51.2 million (2025)
1,855
1,655 undergrad
171
Identity
Is Walla Walla University Worth It?
Walla Walla University offers moderate value at $23,329/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,885, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Walla Walla University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #116 of 401 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #4 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #5 | Grinnell College | 78 | $17,648 | $62,830 |
| #6 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #116 | Walla Walla University | 41 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Walla Walla University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in WA.
Best Programs at Walla Walla University
The highest-earning program at Walla Walla University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $73,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business/Commerce, General at $30,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Walla Walla University earns $73,400, while a Business/Commerce, General graduate earns $30,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Business/Commerce, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,329/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $73,400 | $73,400 | $27,000 |
| Engineering, General | $52,100 | $52,100 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- College Place, WA
- Student Body
- 1,252 students
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,329
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,885
- Median Student Debt
- $26,842