Willamette University
#5 Best Computer Science Colleges in Oregon- Graduation Rate
- 72% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,911 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,121 D
- 47% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Oregon.
Every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,878,230.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 40% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Willamette University Matters
Willamette University is a private liberal arts college in Salem, OR 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 Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,592
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Willamette 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
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1240–1440. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,121 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,911 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 34% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Willamette University, we see a community that welcomes students interested in social sciences, physical sciences, psychology, biology, and the arts. With an acceptance rate of 77%, it’s a good fit for those who are looking for a supportive environment to pursue their passions. The campus culture is all about collaboration and engagement, making it an appealing choice for students who thrive in a close-knit academic setting.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn a median salary of $56,911 after ten years, which is a solid benchmark for building a career. While we don’t have mobility data, the affordability aspect is noteworthy. The net price after aid is $25,121, making it accessible for a variety of financial situations, and many students are able to manage their costs effectively.
Looking at the financial landscape, students graduate with a median debt of $21,500. This is a manageable figure for many, especially given the potential earnings. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a blend of academic rigor and community support, making it a great choice for students looking to balance their education with personal growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Willamette 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 Willamette University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salem, Oregon, Willamette University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,377. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1377
- SAT Range
- 1240–1440
- ACT Range
- 28–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,083
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 3,994
- Admitted
- 3,219
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 Willamette University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Willamette University is $51,156, 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 $25,121. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $51,156
- Out-of-State
- $51,156
- Avg Net Price
- $25,121
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,182
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,825
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,225
- Family Income $110K+
- $33,794
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Willamette University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Willamette University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Willamette University earn a median of $56,911, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,932
- 8 Years
- $50,849
- 10 Years
- $56,911
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (368)
- 67%
- 100% (368)
- 67%
- 100% (368)
- 67%
- 100% (368)
- 67%
How Willamette 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 Willamette University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Willamette University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,121/year ($100,484 total). Graduates earn $56,911 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,978,714 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,878,230 (19.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 72% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $100,484
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,978,714
- Net Return
- $1,878,230
- ROI Multiple
- 19.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,121
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
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 Willamette University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Willamette 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 1.84%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.84%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 52.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $150,538
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,615,000
- Investment Income
- $-39,152,000
Top Programs
The fields Willamette University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Social Sciences 22% $47,420 early-career
- Physical Sciences 7% $32,324 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $23,930 early-career
- Business & Marketing 5% $87,368 early-career
- Health Professions 5%
- Psychology 5% $36,992 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $33,335 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $83,715 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Willamette 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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Willamette University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salem, Oregon, Willamette University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,377. The graduation rate is roughly 72%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Willamette University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Willamette University is $51,156, 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 $25,121. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Willamette University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Willamette University earn a median of $56,911, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Willamette University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Willamette 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 1.84%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 52.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Willamette 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 Willamette University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Willamette University.
- Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer73% grad $56,458 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland, VA · Close peer72% grad $58,448 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR · Close peer69% grad $53,907 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- McDaniel CollegeWestminster, MD · Close peer64% grad $60,663 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oklahoma City UniversityOklahoma City, OK · Close peer65% grad $54,655 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA · Close peer71% grad $56,918 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Willamette 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 Willamette University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note