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Whitworth University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Spokane, WA · 1,858 students

The verdict

Whitworth University charges a net price of $26,534/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $106,136. Graduates earn a median $58,561 ten years after entry, $10,201/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.4 years — a 20-year net return of $97,884, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Whitworth University's 10.4-year payback ranks #806 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 37% of them, and #21 of 64 in Washington.

Better ROI than 37% of US colleges#806 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$26,534
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$58,561
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
10.4 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
90%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Whitworth University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$26,534/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$106,136our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$58,561Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$10,201/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback10.4 yrsour math
20-year net return$97,884our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Whitworth University: frequently asked questions

Is Whitworth University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Whitworth University charges $26,534/yr after aid ($106,136 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $58,561 ten years out — $10,201/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 10.4 years and returns $97,884 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Whitworth University degree take to pay off?
About 10.4 years. We divide the $106,136 four-year net cost by the $10,201/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Whitworth University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $26,534/yr — about $106,136 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Whitworth University compare to other Washington colleges?
It ranks #21 of 64 Washington colleges we track by payback. Its $58,561 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $26,534 net price is above the national median of $16,906.