Admit rate has ranged 48%–59% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Whitman College is a top-tier liberal arts school nestled in Walla Walla, Washington, known for its rigorous academics, collaborative culture, and stunning Pacific Northwest setting. With a 38% acceptance rate, Whitman attracts high-achieving students who thrive in small classes and close faculty mentorship. The college boasts strong post-grad outcomes, with 91% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months, and a vibrant campus life fueled by outdoor adventures and passionate student clubs.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,531
In-state tuition
$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
$64,050
Location
Walla Walla, WA
Notable Majors
Math, English, Film Studies, Anthropology
Acceptance Rate
38.1%
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
On-Campus Housing
70% of students
Avg Need-Based Grant
$51,114
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Post-Grad Success (6 mos)
91% employed/grad school
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$67,589
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.0×
Median debt at graduation
$18,437
Graduation rate
81%
First-year retention
87%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
93%
Pell (lower-income) share
29%
First-generation share
12%
Endowment / student
$513,375
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Economics$42,682
Political Science and Government$33,993
Sociology$33,993
Psychology, General$27,584
Visual and Performing Arts, General$26,353
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$25,194
Biology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.65
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
100
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
31°F
Annual rain
20"
Annual snow
21.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
157
Scholarly works
3,344
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Future-scholar output
Science & engineering PhDsper-capita yield 8.1
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
33%
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Whitman College?
Whitman College's acceptance rate is approximately 38% (Walla Walla, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Whitman College?
Admitted students at Whitman College typically score 1310–1480 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Whitman College cost?
At Whitman College, the average net price (after aid) is about $33,313 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Whitman College?
Whitman College enrolls approximately 1,531 undergraduate students.
Where is Whitman College located?
Whitman College is located in Walla Walla, WA.
Admissions
Whitman College is selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 38.1% (7,243 applicants, 2,763 accepted, 1,561 enrolled). Admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1330–1470 or ACT scores in the competitive range. The college emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process, valuing high school GPA, college prep courses, and mid-range standardized test scores. Notably, 95% of first-year students receive financial aid, making Whitman accessible despite its sticker price.
Whitman’s academic rigor is paired with a collaborative (not cutthroat) culture. The college offers 42 majors, with standout programs in Mathematics, English, Anthropology, and Film Studies. Small class sizes and accessible faculty define the experience—students rave about professors who 'care deeply' and foster 'close-knit relationships.' The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, with opportunities for faculty-mentored research and internships. One Reddit user summed it up: 'Many students prefer Whitman to Reed.'
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$22,999
English Language and Literature, General$18,868
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Life at Whitman balances intellectual curiosity with outdoor adventure. 70% of students live on campus, fostering a tight-knit community. Highlights include:
A chill party scene (no Greek life) and 100+ student clubs, from climate activism to outdoor programs.
The Intercultural Center, which collaborates with faculty on diversity initiatives.
Proximity to the Blue Mountains for hiking, skiing, and climbing.
Students describe the vibe as 'passionate but laid-back,' with a focus on 'learning beyond the classroom' (think internships and community engagement).
Whitman’s sticker price is steep ($61,896), but 97% of students receive aid. Key stats:
Average need-based grant: $51,114.
Average net price: $37,633 after aid.
57% of students get merit or talent scholarships.
The college meets 100% of demonstrated need, and the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps families estimate costs. One student noted: 'Whitman made it possible with grants—I pay less here than I would at a state school.'
Whitman combines the academic heft of a top liberal arts college (think Reed or Carleton) with the outdoor-access euphoria of a Colorado or Dartmouth—minus the cutthroat vibe. Its 91% post-grad success rate rivals elite schools, yet the culture is collaborative, not competitive. The Walla Walla location (wine country + mountains) is a hidden gem. For students who want rigorous academics without pretension, Whitman is a Pacific Northwest paradise.
Whitman College logo · sourceWhy Whitman? | Whitman College · sourceVideo Tours & Photo Galleries | Whitman College · sourceWhitman College - All You SHOULD Know Before Going 2026 (with Reviews) · source
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