At $25,884/yr net price, Whitworth University graduates earn $58,561/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,561/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,884 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $103,536 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,561/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,561/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,492/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,727/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,336/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,657/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,339/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,456 | $14,418 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $64,493 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $57,995 | $41,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $57,705 | $27,000 |
| Physics. | Bachelor | $54,661 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $52,789 | $41,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $43,798 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,575 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,747 | $26,799 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $31,771 |
The Risk Factor
68.4% of students at Whitworth University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Whitworth University gives you a moderate financial return with a manageable debt load. The median debt of $25,000 lines up closely with the median 10-year earnings, and a 68% graduation rate means most of you finish, though roughly a third don't. That completion gap is the biggest financial risk here: you can borrow for years and leave without the degree that pays the loan back.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays the most of any program listed and comes with the lowest debt of the group, so you leave with strong earnings and little to repay. Computer science and accounting both pay well but carry $27,000 in debt, meaning your first years of salary go partly toward loans. Physics pays less than accounting but you borrow far less to get there, which makes it a better debt-to-earnings trade. Mathematics is the weakest option: it pays the least of the five programs yet still saddles you with $27,000 in debt.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $18,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 range and the price jumps to nearly $30,000, close to the sticker for families above $110,000. That middle-income cliff is where Whitworth gets expensive fast, so run the numbers carefully if your family sits in that band.
Whitworth fits you if you plan to study nursing, or if you come from a lower-income household and target computer science, accounting, or physics. Look elsewhere if you're a middle-to-upper-income family eyeing mathematics or an undecided major, where the price is high and the payoff is thinner. Spokane's regional job market supports the healthcare and accounting paths best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitworth University worth the cost?
Whitworth's $25,884 annual net price leads to median earnings of $58,561 after 10 years, which is modest for a private college. The 68% graduation rate means nearly one-third of students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What are the best paying majors at Whitworth University?
Nursing programs at Whitworth offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $70,456 annually. Computer Science follows at $64,493, while business and accounting majors earn in the mid-50s range.
How much debt do Whitworth University graduates have?
Whitworth graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, this assumes you actually graduate - the 68% completion rate means debt without a degree is a real risk.
Does Whitworth University provide good financial aid?
Whitworth's net price of $25,884 suggests decent financial aid for a private college with a 90% acceptance rate. The school appears to discount tuition significantly from its sticker price to remain accessible.