Walla Walla University
College Place, Washington · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
Walla Walla University scores 62 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The school is a Seventh-day Adventist institution in College Place, Washington with 1,252 enrolled students. Sticker tuition of $34,227 is discounted to a $23,329 net price, producing a $93,316 four-year cost. Median 6-year earnings of $42,400 and an 8.7-year payback period are moderate for a private institution in this cost range. The 59.9% completion rate means roughly 40% of enrolled students do not earn a degree. Median debt of $26,842 against $42,400 earnings produces a 0.633 debt-to-earnings ratio. Repayment rate of 79.7% at three years is below average. Scorecard does not report admission rate, SAT, or ACT data for Walla Walla. Nursing is the standout program: 61 graduates, $90,709 year one, $101,497 at four years, B+-grade ROI. Engineering (reported as Engineering General, 0 graduates in the cohort but with data) shows $66,416 year one and $91,473 at four years. Business Administration (27 graduates) earns $43,155 year one. Design and Applied Arts (12 graduates) earns $28,436 year one with a D-grade. Teacher Education (17 graduates) earns $55,427 year one with a C+-grade ROI. The SDA institutional context matters: many students are church members whose attendance is partly shaped by faith community and worldview, creating a student population that assigns significant non-financial value to the campus.
Walla Walla University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,227/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,227/yr |
| Average net price | $23,329/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $93,316 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,885 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,842 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $285 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,252 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Walla Walla University is $34,227/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,329/year, or roughly $93,316 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $18,675/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,760/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,842 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $285 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,885 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,675 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,079 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,776 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,081 |
| $110,001+ | $28,760 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $18,675 per year at Walla Walla — a significant net price for low-income students. Four-year total of roughly $74,700 against $42,400 median earnings and an 8.7-year payback represents a real financial commitment. Low-income nursing students who complete can achieve strong returns; students in other programs face a harder financial case. The 59.9% completion rate means about two in five students do not earn the credential they are paying for.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $20,776 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $24,081. Middle-income families face net prices that leave limited aid differentiation between brackets — indicating the school's aid model does not strongly adjust by income tier. Program selection is decisive at these price points: nursing justifies the cost; most other programs produce debt-to-earnings ratios that require careful financial planning.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $28,760 per year — roughly $115,000 over four years. At an 8.7-year payback and $42,400 median earnings, the full-pay case is weak for most programs. Nursing graduates face a much faster payback at $90,709 year-one earnings. For most other majors, higher-income families have better financial alternatives while retaining the option of attending an SDA institution through Pacific Union College or Southern Adventist University.
Earnings by Major
Top 6 most popular majors at Walla Walla University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $101,497 | B+ |
| Business Administration and Management | $63,844 | C |
| Teacher Education | $55,427 | C+ |
| Social Work | $60,449 | - |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,035 | D |
| Engineering, General | $91,473 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (61 graduates) is Walla Walla's dominant program by both volume and ROI: $90,709 year one, $101,497 at four years, B+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.325, median debt $29,500). Year-one earnings of $90,709 are exceptionally strong — reflecting Pacific Northwest healthcare wages that are high relative to other regions. The Walla Walla Valley and Tri-Cities healthcare market, combined with SDA health system employment networks, create real placement pathways. Nursing at Walla Walla represents the clearest justification for the institution's $23,329 net price.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration (27 graduates) earns $43,155 year one and $63,844 at four years — C-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.626, median debt $27,000). The four-year trajectory to $63,844 is moderate for a private business program in the Pacific Northwest. At $23,329 net price and $27,000 median debt, the debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable but not comfortable. Students with clear business career intentions who leverage the SDA employer network in the Pacific Northwest have a functional path.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (17 graduates) earns $55,427 year one with a C+-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.528, median debt $29,249). Scorecard does not report four-year earnings for this cohort. Year-one earnings of $55,427 for teachers are relatively strong — reflecting Washington State teacher salaries, which are higher than most states. The C+ grade reflects manageable debt load against reasonable Pacific Northwest teaching wages. SDA schools in the region create an additional employment pipeline beyond public school placements.
Design and Applied Arts
Design and Applied Arts (12 graduates) earns $28,436 year one and $54,035 at four years — D-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.985, median debt $28,000). Year-one earnings of $28,436 reflect entry-level design and creative work that does not pay proportionately to education cost. The four-year improvement to $54,035 suggests career progression, but the near-1.0 debt-to-earnings ratio at year one means graduates start with meaningful financial stress. Design at a small SDA college at $23,329 net price requires deliberate career planning to justify the investment.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 1,252 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,406 |
The Scorecard does not report admission rate or test score data for Walla Walla University. The SDA affiliation and small enrollment suggest that church membership and faith alignment are meaningful factors in enrollment decisions. Prospective students should contact the admissions office directly for application expectations and selectivity information. The 59.9% completion rate is a key variable to probe — understanding what student characteristics correlate with completion at Walla Walla matters more than admission thresholds.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Walla Walla's Scorecard peer schools include Cornish College of the Arts (WA), Gonzaga University (WA), Saint Vincent College (PA), University of Dallas (TX), and Simpson College (IA). Gonzaga (ROI 81) is the most prominent Washington peer — both are private faith-affiliated Pacific Northwest institutions, though Gonzaga (Jesuit) is substantially larger with stronger overall outcomes. Walla Walla's 62 score reflects the typical SDA small-college profile: nursing is the earnings anchor, other programs face private-college pricing pressure. Among SDA institutions nationally, Walla Walla's Pacific Northwest wage premium in nursing is a genuine regional advantage.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla University (this school) | 62 | $23,329 | $61,885 |
| Gonzaga University | 81 | $35,119 | $78,892 |
| University of Dallas | 62 | $22,610 | $58,285 |
| Saint Vincent College | 61 | $23,510 | $59,982 |
| Simpson College | 60 | $21,936 | $59,274 |
| Cornish College of the Arts | 17 | $40,062 | $33,696 |
Who Thrives Here
Walla Walla University does not report admission rate, SAT, or ACT data in the Scorecard. Enrollment of 1,252 is small. Pell rate of 26.0% reflects a student body with moderate financial need. The Seventh-day Adventist affiliation means the campus community is structured around faith observance and community norms specific to that tradition. Students seeking a faith-aligned education in a small Pacific Northwest campus setting find a niche option here. The 59.9% completion rate means academic and financial support for retention is critical. Nursing is the clear program with demonstrated financial return; other programs require careful cost-benefit scrutiny.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Walla Walla University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $23,329 per year leads to $93,316 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $61,885 a decade out. The payback period of 8.7 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Areas of concern include high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $26,842 against $61,885 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.