Whitman College vs Saint Martin's University: which has better ROI?
Whitman College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,252 in 6.9 years versus 8.2 years at Saint Martin's University, on median earnings of $67,589 vs $62,092 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Whitman College | Saint Martin's University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,313 | $28,119 |
| Total net cost | $133,252 | $112,476 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,589 | $62,092 |
| Median debt | $18,437 | $22,500 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 8.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $251,328 | $162,164 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Whitman College or Saint Martin's University?
Saint Martin's University, at $28,119 a year after aid versus $33,313 — a gap of $5,194 a year, or $20,776 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Whitman College or Saint Martin's University graduates earn more?
Whitman College graduates report a median $67,589 ten years after entry, $5,497 more than the $62,092 at Saint Martin's 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, Whitman College or Saint Martin's University?
Whitman College: its completers carry a median $18,437 in federal loans versus $22,500 at Saint Martin's University, a difference of $4,063. 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 52% at Saint Martin's 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.