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Head-to-head comparison

University of Puget Sound vs Whitman College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Tacoma WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Walla Walla WA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

Net price / year
$38,394
Earnings, 10 years
$69,594
Payback
7.2 yrs

Option B Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College

Net price / year
$33,313
Earnings, 10 years
$67,589
Payback
6.9 yrs
The verdict

Whitman College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $133,252 in 6.9 years versus 7.2 years at University of Puget Sound, on median earnings of $67,589 vs $69,594 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Puget SoundWhitman College
Net price / yr$38,394$33,313
Total net cost$153,576$133,252
Median earnings, 10 yrs$69,594$67,589
Median debt$25,000$18,437
Payback7.2 yrs6.9 yrs
20-year net return$271,104$251,328

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, University of Puget Sound or Whitman College?

Whitman College, at $33,313 a year after aid versus $38,394 — a gap of $5,081 a year, or $20,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do University of Puget Sound or Whitman College graduates earn more?

University of Puget Sound graduates report a median $69,594 ten years after entry, $2,005 more than the $67,589 at Whitman College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Puget Sound or Whitman College?

Whitman College: its completers carry a median $18,437 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Puget Sound, a difference of $6,563. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

81% of students finish at Whitman College, against 68% at University of Puget Sound. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Puget Sound vs Whitman College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Puget Sound or Whitman College a better value?
Whitman College. It clears its $133,252 net cost in about 6.9 years versus 7.2 years at University of Puget Sound, on median earnings of $67,589 vs $69,594 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Puget Sound or Whitman College?
Whitman College: $33,313/yr net price after aid versus $38,394/yr at University of Puget Sound — a difference of $5,081 a year, or about $20,324 over four years.
Do University of Puget Sound or Whitman College graduates earn more?
University of Puget Sound graduates earn a median $69,594 ten years after entry, versus $67,589 at Whitman College — a $2,005 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.