
Spokane, WAprivate nonprofitwww.whitworth.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 87%–91% over the last 5 years. 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.
Whitworth University, a private Christian liberal arts college in Spokane, Washington, blends rigorous academics with a tight-knit community ethos. Known for its integration of faith and learning, Whitworth offers over 100 majors, small class sizes, and a 97% post-graduation employment rate—the highest in the state. With an 89.8% acceptance rate, it’s accessible yet maintains a robust academic culture, particularly in education, sciences, and humanities.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
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.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whitworth University is moderately selective, with an 89.8% acceptance rate (3,768 admitted from 4,197 applicants in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1100–1320 on the SAT or 21–29 on the ACT, though the school is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Admissions are holistic, emphasizing well-rounded applications, and the Common Application is accepted. Notably, nearly half of accepted students enroll (1,868 in 2024), suggesting strong YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. for a regional institution.
Whitworth offers 100+ majors and programs, with standout departments in Education (viewed as a 'calling' with a dynamic community), (5% of majors), and (4%). Classes are small—most have —and the university emphasizes undergraduate research and faith-learning integration. Popular majors include Biological Sciences, Elementary Education, and Business. Students can design their own majors, and are available. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio fosters close mentorship.
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.
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.
Campus life revolves around Whitworth’s residential community (53% live on campus) and traditions like the 'Little 3' competition. The 200-acre campus is praised for its beauty and tight-knit vibe, with residence halls designed to foster cultural engagement and self-confidence. Health and counseling services are robust, and TikTok snippets showcase a lively culture of events and outdoor activities (Spokane’s rivers and mountains are nearby). Off-campus, students explore coffee shops and music venues, with 47% living independently.
Whitworth boasts a 97% employment rate for graduates within one year—the highest in Washington state. The 6-year graduation rate is 75% (73% for Pell Grant recipients), outperforming many regional peers. Alumni earnings are strong, with the university ranked #5 for 'Best Value' in the West due to high graduation rates and low student debt. Four-year graduation rates (66%) suggest many finish on time, a marker of academic support.
Tuition and fees total $55,450, with a simplified pricing model to reduce sticker shock. 76% of first-years receive need-based aid, averaging $45,180 per recipient. Merit scholarships range up to $9,000 annually ($36,000 over four years). 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 suggests significant aid for families earning under $150K (e.g., 21% of students pay $0–$50K). Whitworth emphasizes affordability, with tax benefits and payment plans available.
Whitworth merges academic rigor (11:1 ratio, 100+ majors) with Christian mission, but without dogma—students describe it as 'faith-friendly, not faith-forced.' Its 97% job-placement rate and top-5 value ranking defy the liberal-arts stereotype of poor ROI. The campus’s Pacific Northwest setting and quirky traditions (like dorm-wide competitions) create a distinct vibe. For students seeking small classes, outdoor access, and a pragmatic blend of faith and career prep, Whitworth delivers.