At $29,871/yr net price, Whittier College graduates earn $59,492/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,492/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,871 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $119,484 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,492/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,492/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,937 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,678/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,119/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $28,096/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,433/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,090/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | Master | $67,324 | $37,098 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $41,689 | $227,419 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $35,914 | $24,000 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $33,281 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $28,309 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $27,765 | |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $26,715 | $24,937 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $21,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $18,315 | $25,750 |
The Risk Factor
63.4% of students at Whittier College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Whittier College asks about $30,000 a year net, and the payoff is weak. Median earnings ten years out land just under $60,000, but that number sits above what the college's own reported programs produce. Business Administration, the top earner on the list, shows starting-level pay near $36,000 against $24,000 in debt. Social Work, Sociology, Romance Languages, and general Social Sciences all report early earnings in the high $20,000s to low $30,000s. None of these programs, as reported, throws off enough early income to make the sticker price look comfortable.
The bigger risk here is not any single major, it's finishing at all. A 52.85% retention rate means nearly half of first-year students don't come back for year two. If you leave with debt and no degree, you carry the cost without the earnings. The 63.4% graduation rate compounds that concern. Before you weigh which major pays, weigh whether you're the kind of student who stays and finishes.
The net price tiers behave strangely. Families earning under $30,000 pay the least, around $22,700, but families in the $30,000 to $48,000 band actually pay more than middle-income families above them. If you're in that lower-middle range, run your own aid numbers early, because the average does not favor you. Only households over $110,000 pay the full sticker weight near $35,000.
This school fits you if you're set on a Southern California liberal-arts campus, you're confident you'll graduate, and your family lands in the lowest income tier where aid cuts the price hardest. If you're chasing a strong salary return on the reported programs here, or you're unsure you'll stick through four years, the debt-to-earnings math does not work in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whittier College worth the cost for the salary you'll earn after graduation?
Whittier College graduates earn a median of $59,492 ten years after graduation, which is modest given the $29,871 annual net price. The return on investment varies significantly by major, with education graduates earning $67,324 while sociology majors average just $28,309.
What are the best paying majors at Whittier College?
Education is the highest-paying program at Whittier College with graduates earning $67,324 annually. Law and business majors earn $41,689 and $35,914 respectively, while social work and sociology graduates face much lower earning potential.
How much student debt do Whittier College graduates typically have?
Whittier College graduates have a median debt of $24,937, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with lower-paying majors like sociology averaging $28,309 annually, debt repayment could be challenging depending on your field of study.
Does Whittier College have good graduation rates and job outcomes?
Whittier College has a 63.4% graduation rate, which is below average for four-year colleges. The relatively high acceptance rate of 75% suggests less selective admissions, which often correlates with mixed academic outcomes.