Analysis
Whitworth's mathematics program posts solid earnings that beat both state and national medians, but that comes with an asterisk: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, making these figures less reliable than larger programs. Still, the $51,950 starting salary outpaces Washington's state median by over $5,000, and the 32% earnings growth to $68,358 by year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in their careers.
The debt picture looks particularly attractive. At $27,000, graduates carry roughly $6,000 more than typical math majors nationally, yet the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 remains manageable—borrowers would owe about half their first-year salary. This debt level ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of math programs saddle students with more debt. For a private institution, that's noteworthy restraint.
The caveat worth considering: with Whitworth's 87% admission rate and a small cohort of math graduates, these numbers could swing considerably year to year. A few graduates landing high-paying tech jobs or pursuing low-paying graduate assistantships could dramatically shift the medians. But the fundamentals—moderate debt, above-average earnings, and strong growth trajectory—suggest this program delivers reasonable value, especially if your student is drawn to Whitworth's campus culture and wants to avoid the debt loads typical of many private colleges.
Where Whitworth University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all mathematics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Whitworth University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth University | $51,950 | $68,358 | +32% |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $46,585 | $77,395 | +66% |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | $46,585 | $77,395 | +66% |
| University of Puget Sound | $37,610 | $68,484 | +82% |
| Western Washington University | $22,953 | $65,171 | +184% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Washington
Mathematics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,920 | $51,950 | $68,358 | $27,000 | 0.52 | |
| $54,285 | $57,551 | — | $23,281 | 0.40 | |
| $12,643 | $46,585 | $77,395 | $15,501 | 0.33 | |
| $12,559 | $46,585 | $77,395 | $15,501 | 0.33 | |
| $59,900 | $37,610 | $68,484 | $22,000 | 0.58 | |
| $9,286 | $22,953 | $65,171 | $21,498 | 0.94 | |
| National Median | — | $48,772 | — | $21,500 | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with mathematics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Whitworth University, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.