Pullman, WA · Private University
Is Washington State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$68,905
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,997
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,073
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$116,292
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.37x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
61.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,401
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Washington State University graduates earn $23,905 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Washington State University ranked by graduate earnings
175 graduates
149 graduates
319 graduates
35 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Washington State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Washington State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $93,485) and the lowest (Anthropology: $31,287) is $62,198/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $93,485 | 3.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,229 | 3.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,875 | 2.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $83,510 | 2.9x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,308 | 2.8x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $80,404 | 2.8x |
| Civil Engineering | $79,139 | 2.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $76,963 | 2.6x |
| Economics | $73,907 | 2.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $73,096 | 2.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $71,717 | 2.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,504 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $69,991 | 2.4x |
| International Business | $69,214 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,491 | 2.3x |
| Food Science and Technology | $66,745 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $63,343 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $62,752 | 2.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $60,741 | 2.1x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $59,661 | 2.0x |
| Applied Mathematics | $59,019 | 2.0x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $57,332 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,273 | 2.0x |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $55,611 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,527 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $55,469 | 1.9x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $55,402 | 1.9x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $53,926 | 1.9x |
| Social Sciences, General | $53,186 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,979 | 1.8x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $52,378 | 1.8x |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $50,640 | 1.7x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $50,027 | 1.7x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $49,561 | 1.7x |
| Materials Engineering(1yr data) | $49,560 | 1.7x |
| History | $49,366 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,295 | 1.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $48,961 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $47,776 | 1.6x |
| Plant Sciences(1yr data) | $47,531 | 1.6x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $46,542 | 1.6x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $45,820 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,998 | 1.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $44,659 | 1.5x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $44,320 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,636 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $43,627 | 1.5x |
| Sociology | $42,242 | 1.4x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $38,862 | 1.3x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $36,273 | 1.3x |
| Animal Sciences | $34,686 | 1.2x |
| AnthropologyLowest | $31,287 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Washington State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $68,905 10 years after starting, $23,905 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.4 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.