Mathematics at Walla Walla University

Mathematics graduates in Washington state typically earn around $46,585 in their first year—slightly below the national median of $48,772—and Walla Walla's program likely falls within this range. The estimated debt load of $22,641 is modest and manageable, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 that suggests graduates could reasonably pay down their loans within a year of full-time work. This sits comfortably below the concerning threshold where debt becomes burdensome relative to income.

The challenge is that we're working with estimates here because the graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. Looking at reported data from other Washington schools reveals significant variation—Seattle University math grads start at $57,551 while University of Puget Sound grads begin around $37,610. Where Walla Walla's program actually falls within this $20,000 spread matters enormously for return on investment.

Given the reasonable debt estimate and the fact that similar programs in Washington produce workable outcomes, this isn't a red flag situation. However, before committing, ask the school directly about employment outcomes for recent math graduates: where they're working, what they're earning, and whether graduates pursue teaching, industry positions, or graduate school. The numbers suggest a viable path, but actual placement data would remove the guesswork.