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Whitman College

Walla Walla, Washington 99362

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for biology

Whitman College is a private institution in Walla Walla with particular strength in biology and psychology. With an average SAT of 1365, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

81% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $67,589 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $35,506.

Established
1859
Motto
Per ardua surgo
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division 3

Campus Visits

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50%Acceptance
1365SAT Avg
1,523Students
10:1Student:Faculty
81%Grad Rate
$67,589Earnings 10yr
$35,506Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate50.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1365

Reading & WritingMid: 685
650740
MathMid: 690
620740

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 31
2733

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$61,492
Room & Board$14,640
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$75,042
Average Net Price$35,506
Median Debt at Graduation$18,437
Monthly Payment (10yr)$195

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,307
$30–48K$19,724
$48–75K$28,426
$75–110K$27,829
$110K+$47,254

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

64.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (42)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

89%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,523
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
12%
Pell Grant Recipients
15%

Race & Ethnicity

White 58%
Black 3%
Hispanic 12%
Asian 5%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 14%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate81.0%
Freshman Retention88.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,594
10 Years$67,589

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#53
—
vs 2024
Forbes
#89
—
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
—
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#53
—
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

UltimateBasketballUltimate division

History & Fun Facts

  • •Eells soon moved to the site with his family and began working to establish Whitman Seminary.
  • •In 1866, Walla Walla's wealthiest citizen, Dorsey Baker, donated land near his house to the east of downtown.
  • •The school's first principal, local Congregational minister Peasly B.
  • •After Eells's resignation in 1869, the school struggled—and often failed—to attract students, pay teachers, and stay open for each term.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

124High

Estimated from WA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Portlandpop. 650K
213 mi(369 min)
Seattlepop. 740K
217 mi(376 min)
Salt Lake Citypop. 200K
489 mi(848 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BOI Boise202 mi
PDX Portland OR208 mi
SEA Seattle-Tacoma211 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2320 mi · ~67h 1m drive
New York, NY2227 mi · ~64h 20m drive
Hartford, CT2260 mi · ~65h 17m drive
Providence, RI2318 mi · ~66h 58m drive
Albany, NY2186 mi · ~63h 9m drive
Syracuse, NY2063 mi · ~59h 36m drive
Rochester, NY1991 mi · ~57h 31m drive
Buffalo, NY1937 mi · ~55h 57m drive
Philadelphia, PA2194 mi · ~63h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1948 mi · ~56h 17m drive
Harrisburg, PA2102 mi · ~60h 43m drive
Newark, NJ2218 mi · ~64h 5m drive
Washington, DC2136 mi · ~61h 42m drive
Baltimore, MD2144 mi · ~61h 56m drive
Atlanta, GA1970 mi · ~56h 55m drive
Charlotte, NC2080 mi · ~60h 5m drive
Raleigh, NC2165 mi · ~62h 33m drive
Miami, FL2518 mi · ~72h 45m drive
Orlando, FL2334 mi · ~67h 26m drive
Tampa, FL2313 mi · ~66h 49m drive
Nashville, TN1765 mi · ~50h 59m drive
New Orleans, LA1883 mi · ~54h 24m drive
Richmond, VA2161 mi · ~62h 26m drive
Chicago, IL1544 mi · ~44h 36m drive
Detroit, MI1752 mi · ~50h 37m drive
Minneapolis, MN1211 mi · ~34h 59m drive
St. Louis, MO1516 mi · ~43h 48m drive
Kansas City, MO1295 mi · ~37h 25m drive
Indianapolis, IN1673 mi · ~48h 20m drive
Columbus, OH1818 mi · ~52h 31m drive
Cleveland, OH1838 mi · ~53h 6m drive
Milwaukee, WI1503 mi · ~43h 25m drive
Dallas, TX1463 mi · ~42h 16m drive
Houston, TX1673 mi · ~48h 20m drive
Austin, TX1554 mi · ~44h 54m drive
San Antonio, TX1572 mi · ~45h 25m drive
Los Angeles, CA830 mi · ~23h 59m drive
San Francisco, CA610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
San Diego, CA925 mi · ~26h 43m drive
Seattle, WA217 mi · ~6h 16m drive
Portland, OR213 mi · ~6h 9m drive
Denver, CO803 mi · ~23h 12m drive
Phoenix, AZ932 mi · ~26h 55m drive
Salt Lake City, UT489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI2799 mi · ~80h 52m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

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Decision Notifications

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