Biological and Physical Sciences at Whitworth University

Whitworth's biological and physical sciences graduates start slow but experience remarkable earnings growth—jumping 58% from $34,703 to $54,728 between year one and year four. That's substantially better progression than most science programs deliver, suggesting strong career trajectory development even if the initial salary looks modest.

The debt picture works in students' favor here. At $25,990, it's actually below the national median for this program and close to one year's mid-career salary. While Washington State University graduates earn $46,288 initially—about 33% more—Whitworth students carry similar debt loads and appear to catch up significantly by year four. The 60th percentile state ranking confirms this program holds its own among Washington options, particularly given the strong earnings acceleration.

The real question is whether families can manage that first year when graduates earn about what the broader program delivers nationally. If a student needs immediate high earnings to service debt, this trajectory could feel uncomfortable. But for families who can support a slower start, the four-year outlook transforms the value proposition entirely. This appears designed for students planning graduate school or building toward specialized roles that reward experience—not those needing quick financial independence.