Biology at Whitman College

Whitman College's biology program shows some concerning disparities when viewed alongside state alternatives. First-year graduates earn $28,538—about $6,500 less than the state median and landing in just the 25th percentile among Washington biology programs. Even after four years, earnings reach only $35,359, still trailing the University of Washington system and several other state options by $3,000+.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $18,080, graduates carry roughly $4,000 less than the state median and significantly less than the national average. This keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.63, meaning the loan burden equals about 7.5 months of that first year's salary. The 24% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates find their footing, though they're starting from a lower base than peers at other Washington schools.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. For families paying Whitman's private college tuition, this program appears to underdeliver on earnings relative to public alternatives, despite the lower debt. If your child is set on biology and staying in Washington, the UW system offers substantially stronger early career outcomes at likely lower in-state costs.