Mathematics at Whitman College

Whitman's selectivity suggests it attracts strong students, but when comparing mathematics outcomes across Washington, peer programs typically produce first-year earnings around $46,500—right at the state median but notably trailing Seattle University's $57,500 and Whitworth's $52,000. For a small liberal arts college with a 1365 average SAT score and only 15% Pell grant recipients, you'd reasonably expect outcomes closer to the top performers.

The estimated $22,600 in debt creates a manageable 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio, which aligns closely with both state and national medians for mathematics bachelor's degrees. Similar programs across Washington suggest graduates can handle their loan obligations within typical guidelines. However, this affordability picture depends heavily on students finishing without accumulating significantly more debt than these peer-institution estimates indicate.

The core question is whether Whitman's academic environment justifies paying private college prices when comparable programs in Washington—including the University of Washington campuses—appear to deliver similar or better financial outcomes. If your child values the small-college experience and has secured substantial financial aid, the estimated debt burden shouldn't prevent graduation. But if you're choosing Whitman expecting a financial premium over state universities, the peer data doesn't support that expectation for mathematics specifically.