Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Willamette University vary significantly by field of study. These rankings evaluate each program by post-graduation earnings, debt burden, and return on investment — not prestige or reputation.
Use this analysis to compare programs and understand which fields deliver the strongest outcomes.
Analyzing 18 programs with available earnings data.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Willamette University.
Computer Science leads engineering & technology with 101K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceSmall sample | — | $100,650 | — | 10 |
Program rankings are derived entirely from post-graduation outcomes. We do not use reputation surveys, selectivity metrics, or SAT scores. This means some programs may rank differently than you'd expect based on prestige — and that's intentional.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Acoustics leads sciences & mathematics with 90K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AcousticsSmall sample | — | $89,506★ | — | 11 |
| Analytical ChemistrySmall sample | — | $79,592 | — | 9 |
| Biology, General | — | $45,197 | — | 30 |
| Algebra and Number TheorySmall sample | — | $42,682 | — | 9 |
American Government and Politics (United States) leads social sciences & policy with 63K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Government and Politics (United States) | — | $63,407★ | — | 24 |
| Applied Economics | — | $63,255 | — | 40 |
| Psychology, General | — | $31,133 | — | 33 |
| Applied/Public SociologySmall sample | — | $24,267 | — | 15 |
| Anthropology, GeneralSmall sample | — | $21,508 | — | 11 |
Communication and Media Studies, Other leads communications with 70K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, OtherSmall sample | — | $70,412 | — | 19 |
English Language and Literature, General leads humanities & arts with 50K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, GeneralSmall sample | — | $50,060★ | — | 17 |
| Catalan Language and LiteratureSmall sample | — | $32,925 | — | 14 |
| Art History, Criticism and ConservationSmall sample | — | $32,256 | — | 16 |
| American History (United States)Small sample | — | $22,192 | — | 18 |
Environmental Science leads agriculture & environment with 55K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | — | $54,657 | — | 28 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology leads other & interdisciplinary with 59K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | — | $59,337★ | — | 23 |
| International/Globalization StudiesSmall sample | — | $22,667 | — | 8 |
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
