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Head-to-head comparison

Whitworth University vs University of Puget Sound: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Spokane WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Tacoma WA

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

Option A Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Net price / year
$26,534
Earnings, 10 years
$58,561
Payback
10.4 yrs

Option B Tacoma, WA

University of Puget Sound

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

University of Puget Sound has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $153,576 in 7.2 years versus 10.4 years at Whitworth University, on median earnings of $69,594 vs $58,561 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWhitworth UniversityUniversity of Puget Sound
Net price / yr$26,534$38,394
Total net cost$106,136$153,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,561$69,594
Median debt$25,000$25,000
Payback10.4 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$97,884$271,104

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound?

Whitworth University, at $26,534 a year after aid versus $38,394 — a gap of $11,860 a year, or $47,440 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 Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound graduates earn more?

University of Puget Sound graduates report a median $69,594 ten years after entry, $11,033 more than the $58,561 at Whitworth University. 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, Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound?

Completers at both borrow a median $25,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Whitworth University, 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.

Whitworth University vs University of Puget Sound: frequently asked questions

Is Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound a better value?
University of Puget Sound. It clears its $153,576 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 10.4 years at Whitworth University, on median earnings of $69,594 vs $58,561 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound?
Whitworth University: $26,534/yr net price after aid versus $38,394/yr at University of Puget Sound — a difference of $11,860 a year, or about $47,440 over four years.
Do Whitworth University or University of Puget Sound graduates earn more?
University of Puget Sound graduates earn a median $69,594 ten years after entry, versus $58,561 at Whitworth University — a $11,033 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.