Dr. Miguel Cardona (left), Secretary of Education and Cindy Marten, Deputy Secretary | https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/index.html
Dr. Miguel Cardona (left), Secretary of Education and Cindy Marten, Deputy Secretary | https://www2.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/index.html
Data shows that students paid $26,186 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $1,053 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, Whitman College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $58,622. Walla Walla University followed with an average of $31,758 per year. Walla Walla Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,273.
At the time, a total of $17.5 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Walla Walla County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $2.3 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Walla Walla County, including Walla Walla University, Walla Walla Community College, and Whitman College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitman College | 308 | $10,299,946 | $33,441 | 137 | $752,272 | $5,491 |
| Walla Walla University | 296 | $5,364,239 | $18,122 | 160 | $1,221,766 | $7,636 |
| Walla Walla Community College | 274 | $1,817,988 | $6,635 | 58 | $311,153 | $5,365 |
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