Walla Walla University
#2 Best Psychology Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,885 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,329 D+
- 36% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,252
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Psychology Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $16.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,403,699.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 52% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Walla Walla University Matters
Walla Walla University is a private university in College Place, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,252
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI · 95
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Walla Walla University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,329 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,885 ten years after enrolling — 52% above the typical college, against $26,842 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 64% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Walla Walla University is a cozy fit for students interested in health professions, business, biology, engineering, and the arts. With an enrollment of about 1,252, it feels manageable, allowing for more personalized attention from faculty. The focus here is on building meaningful connections and a supportive community, which can be crucial for academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students see an average earnings boost to $61,885 within ten years. That’s a solid figure to keep in mind when considering your future. Many graduates find their footing in various fields, thanks in part to the practical skills gained in their programs. The affordability of education here is also noteworthy; with a net price of $23,329 after aid, it makes a college degree more accessible for many.
When it comes to finances, the median debt is $26,842, which is manageable for many graduates, especially given the earning potential. Students who thrive here tend to be those looking for a close-knit community that values both academic rigor and personal development. If you’re seeking a supportive environment with a solid return on investment, Walla Walla University could be a strong contender for your college journey.
Rankings
- #2 Best Psychology Colleges in Washington
- #6 Best Nursing Colleges in Washington
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Washington
- #11 Best MBA Programs in Washington
- #13 Best Biology Colleges in Washington
- #14 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- #16 Best Colleges in Washington
- #19 Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology
Can I Get In?
How selective Walla Walla University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Walla Walla University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Walla Walla University, located in College Place, Washington, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,406
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Walla Walla University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Walla Walla University is $34,227, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,329. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,675 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,842 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $34,227
- Out-of-State
- $34,227
- Avg Net Price
- $23,329
- Median Debt
- $26,842
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,675
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,079
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,776
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,760
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Walla Walla University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Walla Walla University earn a median of $61,885, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,840
- 8 Years
- $58,743
- 10 Years
- $61,885
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (106)
- 31%
- 100% (106)
- 31%
- 100% (106)
- 31%
- 100% (106)
- 31%
How Walla Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Walla Walla University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Walla Walla University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,329/year ($93,316 total). Graduates earn $61,885 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,497,015 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,403,699 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $26,842, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $93,316
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,497,015
- Net Return
- $1,403,699
- ROI Multiple
- 16.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,329
- Median Debt
- $26,842
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Walla Walla University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Walla Walla University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.22%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $94,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,096,720
- Investment Income
- $-4,369,726
Top Programs
The fields Walla Walla University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 22%
- Health Professions 20%
- Engineering 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Psychology 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Humanities 4%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Walla Walla University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Walla Walla University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Walla Walla University, located in College Place, Washington, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Walla Walla University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Walla Walla University is $34,227, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,329. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,675 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,842 in federal student loans.
Is Walla Walla University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Walla Walla University earn a median of $61,885, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Walla Walla University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Walla Walla University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $94,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Walla Walla University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Walla Walla University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Walla Walla University.
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- Baker UniversityBaldwin City, KS · Close peer59% grad $63,855 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Concordia University TexasAustin, TX · Close peer42% grad $60,883 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Walla Walla University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Walla Walla University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note