Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 74.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 72.7%
- Retention Rate
- 86.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $56,911
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 78.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,530 | $72,115 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $70,456 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $49,102 | $162,945 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $39,909 | $19,500 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $20,915 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $21,511 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $24,547 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,055 | $23,000 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $27,204 | $20,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $26,739 | $21,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $26,570 | $25,343 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $25,658 | $20,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor | $25,658 | |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $24,267 | $21,791 |
Outcomes Overview
Willamette graduates earn a median salary of $56,911 after ten years, putting them ahead of many liberal arts peers. The typical monthly loan payment of $228 represents just 4.8% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. With median debt of $21,500, the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a manageable 0.38. The university's strong Northwest connections help place graduates in Portland's tech scene, government positions in Salem, and nonprofits throughout Oregon. An 89.8% employment rate reflects the school's reputation among regional employers. Notable alumni like Nobel laureate Dale Mortensen demonstrate the potential for strong achievement. Strong return on investment for students seeking liberal arts education with practical career outcomes.