Whitman College: A Comprehensive Overview of Academics, Campus Life, and Rankings
Whitman College, a private liberal arts college nestled in Walla Walla, Washington, offers a distinctive educational experience. Founded in 1883, the college has a rich history and a strong commitment to undergraduate studies. This article delves into the various aspects of Whitman College, including its academic programs, campus life, rankings, and notable alumni.
A Legacy of Liberal Arts Education
Whitman College focuses solely on undergraduate studies in the liberal arts. The college emphasizes a "genuine connection" between students and faculty, along with an education that is very strong across the board. Small class sizes and engaging professors create a space where student-faculty research thrives. Whitman has long been recognized for having some of the most accessible professors in the nation, who are always there for you and show that they care and want to help you succeed. Teachers are described as "incredibly accessible and happy to work with students on an individual level.
Academic Programs and Flexibility
Students must take a two-semester course their first year, Encounters, which examines cultural interactions throughout history and gives students a grounding in the liberal arts. Whitman College offers courses in 48 major fields and 34 minor fields. There are 45 department majors you can choose from including anthropology, biology, classical studies, gender studies, race and ethnic studies and theatre. Students have wide flexibility in designing independent study programs, electing special majors, and participating in internships and study-abroad programs. Whitman College offers several grants including the Soden and Whitman Internship Grants. Whitman is noted for a strong science program. Degrees are awarded after successful completion of senior "comprehensive exams".
These exams vary depending on the students' primary focus of study, but commonly include some combination of (i) a senior thesis, (ii) written examination, and (iii) oral examination. The oral examination is either a defense of the student's senior thesis, or is one or multiple exams of material the student is expected to have learned during their major. For students who are interested in foreign policy, Whitman is one of 16 institutions participating in the two-year-old Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship program. The State Department pays for fellows to obtain their master's degree at the university of their choice in return for three years of service as a Foreign Service Officer.
Special Programs and Opportunities
Whitman offers a variety of special programs to enhance the academic experience:
Read also: Whitman Grant Opportunities
- 3-2 programs in engineering: Partnering with the California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, University of Washington, and Washington University in St. Louis.
- 3-2 program in oceanography: In collaboration with the University of Washington, leading to a Whitman B.A. and a University of Washington B.S.
- Semester in the West: A field study program in environmental studies, focusing on ecological, social, and political issues confronting the American West.
- Whitman in China: Since 1982, this program provides Whitman alumni the opportunity to teach English at Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shantou University, or Yunnan University, offering an immersion experience in urban Chinese culture.
Campus Life: Community, Activities, and Wellness
Community life on campus is divided between volunteering, student organizations, and athletics. Whitman students appreciate that they're part of a "tight-knit" student body, one that tends to be more "collaborative than competitive." Many attribute this to the "small campus size," which certainly encourages students "to be very close" and only very occasionally "cliquey, for lack of a better term." Students bond over being "intellectual and able to have deep conversations" and appreciate that their peers are "interested in learning both in and out of the classroom," or as one puts it: "not just in college for the degree."
Student Engagement and Activities
Whitman students prioritize their academics, but when they're ready to close their books, there's plenty to enjoy: "People really like on-campus events. Winter balls, film screenings, contra dances, crafts fairs; there's a lot to do." Students also eagerly participate in the college's 100+ clubs. For example, "the radio station is fairly popular, a lot of people do rec sports (ultimate frisbee [and] frolf [frisbee golf] especially)." More importantly, "clubs are not super competitive to get into, which leaves willing students a lot more opportunities to get involved outside the classroom," regardless of the topic, such as one student who volunteers that, "My friend and I founded the Whitman Students Dracula Club."
Some 70 per cent of students volunteer. For those seeking to give back to the community, strong volunteering opportunities are mentioned at local elementary schools, food distribution networks, and the nearby OddFellows elderly care facility. It's also easy for students to enjoy the surrounding area. Another undergrad explains, "In my free time, I love to bike, walk around Pioneer Park and Mill Creek and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Athletics
80 per cent engage in NCAA’s Division III intramural sports. There are 15 varsity sports available such as baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball. The Whitman athletics teams are named the Blues. The college holds membership in the NCAA's Northwest Conference (Division III) and fields nine varsity teams each for men and women. More than 20 percent of students participate in a varsity sport. In addition, 70 percent of the student body participates in intramural and club sports. These sports include rugby union, water polo, lacrosse, dodgeball, and nationally renowned cycling and ultimate teams. In 2016, the college adopted the new mascot for the school and its athletes of the "Blues", named after the local mountain range. The club-sport-level Whitman cycling team has won the DII National Championships for two years, and four times in six years, making them the athletic team at Whitman with the most national championships.
Wellness Programs
Whitman offers a monthly series called Health in the Halls. Topics cover all aspects of Wellness. Our RA's and professional residential staff are trained in QPR and Mental Health First Aid. We offer numerous workshops on various wellness topics throughout the academic year.
Read also: Whitman College Costs
Campus and Location
Whitman's 117-acre campus is located in downtown Walla Walla, Washington. Most of the campus is centered around a quad, which serves as the location for intramural field sports. Around this, Ankeny Field, sits Penrose Library, Olin Hall and Maxey Hall, and two residence halls, Lyman and Jewett. The oldest building on campus is the administrative center, Whitman Memorial Building, commonly referred to as "Mem". Built in 1899, the hall, like the college, serves as a memorial to Marcus and Narcissa Prentiss Whitman. The building is the tallest on campus and was placed on the National Historical Register of Historic Places in 1974. The oldest residence halls on campus, Lyman House and Prentiss Hall, were built in 1924 and 1926. In addition to the nine residence halls, many students choose to live in one of eleven "Interest Houses," run for sophomore, juniors, and seniors committed to specific focuses such as community service, fine arts, environmental studies, multicultural awareness, or the French, Spanish, or German languages. In addition to property in Walla Walla, the college also has about 22,000 acres (89 km2) of other land holdings - mainly in the form of wheat farms in Eastern Washington and Oregon.
Rankings and Recognition
Whitman College is a private institution that was founded in 1883. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Whitman College is ranked No. 58 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. It's also ranked No. 36 in Best Value Schools.
Among national liberal arts colleges, Whitman also made the list of Top Performers on Social Mobility. “While rankings are just one of the many ways we think about what we're doing right and where we may have room to grow, it's gratifying to know that Whitman is respected by leaders at colleges across the nation for our quality and affordability,” says Whitman College President Sarah Bolton.
Accessibility and Affordability
Whitman is committed to making a high-quality education accessible through merit and talent-based scholarships as well as generous need-based financial aid. Fifty-seven percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $35,627.
In May 2022, Whitman College announced a $10 million donation made in memory of long-time professor of 35 years J.Walter Weingart. The donation is set to fund full scholarships for all in-state students with financial need.
Read also: Legacy of Whitman College
Notable Alumni
Some outstanding alumni are one of the founders of nuclear medicine, Edith Hinkley Quimby and William O Douglas, a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the US.
Preparing for Life After College
Whitman’s Student Engagement Center provides a number of services to help students prepare for life after college. It offers traditional resources like job and internship search tools, career counseling, help with resumes and cover letters, and career fairs. The school also organizes “Whitman Hubs” in several cities to provide students and alumni with professional networking opportunities. The SEC sponsors special events and programs geared towards students interested in entrepreneurship and community service.
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