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Eastern Washington University vs Whitman College: which has better ROI?

Public, Cheney WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Walla Walla WA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Eastern Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,544 in 5.8 years versus 6.9 years at Whitman College, on median earnings of $57,897 vs $67,589 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEastern Washington UniversityWhitman College
Net price / yr$13,886$33,313
Total net cost$55,544$133,252
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,897$67,589
Median debt$19,500$18,437
Payback5.8 yrs6.9 yrs
20-year net return$135,196$251,328

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Eastern Washington University or Whitman College?

Eastern Washington University, at $13,886 a year after aid versus $33,313 — a gap of $19,427 a year, or $77,708 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Eastern Washington University or Whitman College graduates earn more?

Whitman College graduates report a median $67,589 ten years after entry, $9,692 more than the $57,897 at Eastern Washington University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Eastern Washington University or Whitman College?

Whitman College: its completers carry a median $18,437 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Eastern Washington University, a difference of $1,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

81% of students finish at Whitman College, against 43% at Eastern Washington University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Eastern Washington University vs Whitman College: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern Washington University or Whitman College a better value?
Eastern Washington University. It clears its $55,544 net cost in about 5.8 years versus 6.9 years at Whitman College, on median earnings of $57,897 vs $67,589 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Washington University or Whitman College?
Eastern Washington University: $13,886/yr net price after aid versus $33,313/yr at Whitman College — a difference of $19,427 a year, or about $77,708 over four years.
Do Eastern Washington University or Whitman College graduates earn more?
Whitman College graduates earn a median $67,589 ten years after entry, versus $57,897 at Eastern Washington University — a $9,692 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.