At $35,506/yr net price, Whitman College graduates earn $67,589/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,589/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,506 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $142,024 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,589/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,589/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,437 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,307/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,724/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,426/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,829/yr |
| $110,001+ | $47,254/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $16,500 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $16,750 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $20,039 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $27,584 | $15,000 |
| 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 |
The Risk Factor
81.0% of students at Whitman College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Whitman College gives you a mixed financial picture: strong graduation and retention rates paired with a high sticker cost and median earnings that don't clearly beat what a state school would deliver. You leave with relatively low median debt, which is the best part of the deal here. The problem is what you pay to get in.
Among the listed bachelor's programs, economics is the clear winner, with early-career earnings running roughly $9,000 above political science and sociology. Political science, sociology, psychology, and the visual and performing arts all land in the mid-$20,000s to low-$30,000s early on. Those are liberal arts salaries, and Walla Walla is a small, rural market with no major metro job base nearby, so you'll likely need to relocate to Seattle, Portland, or beyond to find work that justifies the price.
The specific risk is cost versus payoff. If you major in one of the lower-earning fields and pay anywhere near full price, the math is weak. Economics softens that risk. the arts and psychology numbers amplify it.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $19,000 a year. That jump to over $28,000 in the $48-75k band, and past $47,000 for families above $110,000, is steep. If you're a full-pay family, you're paying near the sticker price with earnings outcomes that don't guarantee a return.
Whitman fits you if you qualify for strong need-based aid, plan to major in economics or a field with clear career paths, and value the 88% retention and 81% graduation rates. If you're full-pay and drawn to the arts or psychology, price out a public university before committing here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitman College worth the high tuition cost?
Whitman College costs $35,506 annually but graduates earn $67,589 ten years later, which is decent for a liberal arts school. However, many popular majors like psychology ($27,584) and arts ($26,353) show concerning earning potential relative to the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Whitman College?
Economics is the clear winner at Whitman College with graduates earning $42,682 annually. Political science and sociology both average around $34,000, while psychology and arts majors earn significantly less despite similar tuition costs.
How much debt do Whitman College students graduate with?
Whitman College graduates carry a median debt of $18,437, which is relatively manageable. The bigger concern is whether certain majors will generate enough income to justify the total cost of attendance.
Does Whitman College have good job outcomes after graduation?
Whitman College has an 81% graduation rate and graduates earn $67,589 after ten years on average. The outcomes vary dramatically by major though, with economics students doing well while arts and psychology majors face tougher financial prospects.