Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Western Washington University vs Walla Walla University: which has better ROI?

Public, Bellingham WA · vs · Private nonprofit, College Place WA

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

The verdict

Western Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $84,772 in 6 years versus 6.9 years at Walla Walla University, on median earnings of $62,569 vs $61,885 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWestern Washington UniversityWalla Walla University
Net price / yr$21,193$23,329
Total net cost$84,772$93,316
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,569$61,885
Median debt$18,500$26,842
Payback6 yrs6.9 yrs
20-year net return$199,408$177,184

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

Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or Walla Walla University?

Western Washington University, at $21,193 a year after aid versus $23,329 — a gap of $2,136 a year, or $8,544 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Western Washington University or Walla Walla University graduates earn more?

Western Washington University graduates report a median $62,569 ten years after entry, $684 more than the $61,885 at Walla Walla 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, Western Washington University or Walla Walla University?

Western Washington University: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $26,842 at Walla Walla University, a difference of $8,342. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Western Washington University, against 60% at Walla Walla 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.

Western Washington University vs Walla Walla University: frequently asked questions

Is Western Washington University or Walla Walla University a better value?
Western Washington University. It clears its $84,772 net cost in about 6 years versus 6.9 years at Walla Walla University, on median earnings of $62,569 vs $61,885 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or Walla Walla University?
Western Washington University: $21,193/yr net price after aid versus $23,329/yr at Walla Walla University — a difference of $2,136 a year, or about $8,544 over four years.
Do Western Washington University or Walla Walla University graduates earn more?
Western Washington University graduates earn a median $62,569 ten years after entry, versus $61,885 at Walla Walla University — a $684 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.