Western Washington University vs Whitman College: which has better ROI?
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 Whitman College, on median earnings of $62,569 vs $67,589 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western Washington University | Whitman College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,193 | $33,313 |
| Total net cost | $84,772 | $133,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,569 | $67,589 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $18,437 |
| Payback | 6 yrs | 6.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $199,408 | $251,328 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or Whitman College?
Western Washington University, at $21,193 a year after aid versus $33,313 — a gap of $12,120 a year, or $48,480 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 Whitman College graduates earn more?
Whitman College graduates report a median $67,589 ten years after entry, $5,020 more than the $62,569 at Western 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, Western Washington University or Whitman College?
Whitman College: its completers carry a median $18,437 in federal loans versus $18,500 at Western Washington University, a difference of $63. 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 65% at Western 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.