Whitman College
Whitman College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Whitman College at a Glance
Whitman College is a private liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington. The school offers 53 majors and 33 minors in the liberal arts, and it has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1.
1859
167 years old
$848M
$847.6 million (2025)
1,544
192
117 acres
Identity
Is Whitman College Worth It?
Whitman College offers moderate value at $33,313/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,589, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Whitman College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 24 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 | Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science | 54 | $19,622 | $66,111 |
| #2 | Bryn Mawr College | 49 | $31,759 | $75,217 |
| #3 | Mount Holyoke College | 47 | $26,441 | $58,418 |
| #4 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #5 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #6 | Macalester College | 44 | $32,149 | $63,878 |
| #11 | Whitman College | 41 | $33,313 | $67,589 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Whitman College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in WA.
Best Programs at Whitman College
The highest-earning program at Whitman College is Economics at $35,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $23,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Whitman College earns $35,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $23,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Economics graduates carry $16,250 in median debt vs. $18,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,313/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $35,300 | $35,300 | $16,250 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $15,875 |
| Biology, General | $23,300 | $23,300 | $18,500 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Walla Walla, WA
- Student Body
- 1,531 students
- Admission Rate
- 38%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,313
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,589
- Median Student Debt
- $18,437