Bellingham, WA · Private University
Is Western Washington University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,569
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,286
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,853
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$111,412
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.25x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,680
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Western Washington University graduates earn $17,569 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 Western Washington University ranked by graduate earnings
109 graduates
53 graduates
63 graduates
30 graduates
23 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Western Washington University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Western Washington University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $107,521) and the lowest (Archeology: $24,061) is $83,460/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $107,521 | 3.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $87,295 | 3.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $83,219 | 3.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $77,516 | 2.8x |
| Chemistry | $73,774 | 2.6x |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management(1yr data) | $72,675 | 2.6x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,265 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,627 | 2.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $68,445 | 2.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $67,739 | 2.4x |
| Economics | $67,444 | 2.4x |
| Manufacturing Engineering(1yr data) | $65,863 | 2.4x |
| Mathematics | $65,171 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $62,280 | 2.2x |
| International Business | $60,844 | 2.2x |
| Polymer/Plastics Engineering(1yr data) | $60,375 | 2.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $59,112 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $58,602 | 2.1x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $58,469 | 2.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $55,230 | 2.0x |
| Journalism | $50,965 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $50,224 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,638 | 1.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $48,450 | 1.7x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $47,228 | 1.7x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $46,770 | 1.7x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $46,707 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $46,606 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $46,069 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $45,746 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $45,075 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $44,176 | 1.6x |
| Anthropology | $43,549 | 1.6x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $43,360 | 1.6x |
| Geography and Cartography | $43,135 | 1.6x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $43,086 | 1.6x |
| History | $42,394 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,267 | 1.5x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $41,600 | 1.5x |
| Area Studies | $40,794 | 1.5x |
| Human Services, General | $40,777 | 1.5x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $39,776 | 1.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $39,375 | 1.4x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $39,011 | 1.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $37,881 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,240 | 1.3x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $33,323 | 1.2x |
| Music | $30,978 | 1.1x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $30,634 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $30,213 | 1.1x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $30,090 | 1.1x |
| ArcheologyLowest(1yr data) | $24,061 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Western Washington University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,569 10 years after starting, $17,569 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 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.