Economics at Whitman College

Whitman's economics program starts slowly but builds momentum—though the small sample size means your child's experience could vary significantly from these numbers. First-year earnings of $47,000 trail the national median by nearly $5,000, placing Whitman in the bottom third nationally. However, the program beats Washington's state median and ranks in the 60th percentile among state schools, suggesting it delivers decent value for an in-state option. The $17,500 typical debt load is manageable, representing just 37% of first-year earnings.

The real story emerges by year four, when median earnings jump to $75,000—a 60% increase that dramatically outpaces typical career trajectories. This suggests either strong graduate school outcomes or delayed entry into fields like consulting and finance where Whitman's liberal arts network may provide advantages. Still, Whitman lags behind University of Washington ($54,000 starting) and Whitworth ($63,000), both of which likely offer stronger immediate placement.

For families comfortable with a slower career launch and betting on long-term growth, the debt-to-earnings math works. But remember: with fewer than 30 graduates in this data, one or two outliers earning six figures could skew these medians significantly. If your child needs immediate post-graduation income or certainty about outcomes, larger programs with more predictable placement records warrant serious consideration.