About Whitman College
The sticker price looks daunting at $61,492 for tuition, but most families pay far less. The average net price drops to $35,506 after financial aid, making this top education surprisingly accessible. Graduates earn a median of $67,589 ten years after graduation, while typical debt loads stay manageable at $18,437. The 92.98% loan repayment rate suggests most alumni can handle their monthly $195 payments without financial stress.
Whitman students embrace the Pacific Northwest outdoor lifestyle while maintaining academic intensity. The college fields 15 varsity sports with 275 student-athletes competing in Division III. With an 85.77% four-year graduation rate and 96.2% employment rate, students typically finish on time and land jobs quickly. The 88.69% retention rate reflects student satisfaction with the close-knit community atmosphere.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 91.3%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 85.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 81.0%
- Retention Rate
- 88.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $67,589
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $27,584 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $22,999 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $18,868 |
Campus Life
The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic interests. Students gather at Ankeny Field for Ultimate Frisbee games or head downtown to the dozens of wineries that put Walla Walla on the map. The Blues compete in 15 NCAA Division III sports with 275 total athletes, though many non-athletes stay active through intramural leagues. Weekend traditions include studying in the library's tower or attending house parties in the interest houses, which serve as Whitman's version of Greek life. The 88.69% retention rate reflects how students embrace this blend of academic rigor and small-college community spirit.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 886 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1859
Campus Safety (2023)
30 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Statutory Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 30°–40°F
- July Avg
- 60°–89°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 40.7"
- Annual Snowfall
- -761.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 43.1%
- Women
- 56.9%
- White
- 58.0%
- Black
- 2.9%
- Hispanic
- 11.7%
- Asian
- 5.5%
- In-State Students
- 31.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 14.7%
Location
- Address
- Walla Walla, Washington 99362
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $67,589
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $58,399
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 93.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $195/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,437
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Whitman College?
Whitman accepts 47.70% of applicants, making it moderately selective among liberal arts colleges. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1293 and 1473 on the SAT. This selectivity reflects the college's reputation for rigorous academics in the small college town of Walla Walla.
How much does Whitman College cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $35,506 after aid, though families earning under $30,000 typically pay just $19,307. With a sticker price of $77,532, about 29.48% of students receive institutional grants averaging $32,047. Graduates leave with a median debt of only $18,437, relatively low for a private college.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Whitman College?
Whitman maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,523 total students. This intimate scale allows for close mentoring relationships that define the liberal arts experience. The college's retention rate of 88.69% reflects student satisfaction with these personal connections.
What do graduates earn after attending Whitman College?
Alumni earn a median of $67,589 ten years after graduation, with a strong employment rate of 96.2%. The four-year graduation rate of 85.77% helps students enter the workforce without extended debt accumulation. Notable graduates include Nobel Prize physicist Walter Brattain and Batman actor Adam West.
Where do Whitman College students live on campus?
The college houses 886 students in residence halls, creating a tight-knit residential community. With only 30.95% of students from Washington state, the dorms bring together students from across the country. The small-town Walla Walla setting means campus life centers around the college community.
Does Whitman College compete in Division I athletics?
Whitman competes in NCAA Division III with 15 varsity sports and 275 total athletes in the Northwest Conference. As a Division III school, it offers no athletic scholarships, focusing instead on student-athletes who excel both academically and competitively. The Blues nickname reflects the school's tradition dating back to its 1859 founding.
