Washington State University vs Central Washington University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Washington State University holds a 16-point ROI advantage over Central Washington University, scoring 84/100 versus 68/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Washington State University comes in at $14,971 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,476 at Central Washington University - a difference of $3,505 annually, or roughly $14,020 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Washington State University graduates earn a median of $68,905 compared to $61,580 at Central Washington University. The payback period is 5.9 years at Washington State University versus 8 years at Central Washington University.
Graduates leave Central Washington University with a median $19,500 in debt versus $19,500 at Washington State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.50 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Washington State Universi... | Central Washington Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,391 | $9,417 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,950 | $27,526 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,971 | $18,476 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $59,884 | $73,904 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,700 | $38,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $68,905 | $61,580 |
| Graduation Rate | 60.5% | 53.6% |
| Payback Period | 5.9 yr | 8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.50 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.2% | 72.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 78.8% | 67.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.6% | 90.6% |
| Enrollment | 21,099 | 7,833 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Washington State Uni... | Central Washington U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,074 | $11,846 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,971 | $13,942 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $11,519 | $16,022 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,426 | $21,682 |
| $110,001+ | $24,726 | $26,719 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Washington State Uni... | Central Washington U... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $119,686 | $95,368 |
| Construction Management | $107,531 | $97,651 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $58,688 | $97,263 |
| Economics | $70,215 | $88,799 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,321 | $73,036 |
| Accounting | $75,980 | $74,442 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $67,647 | $66,538 |
| International Relations | $67,264 | $64,361 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $52,765 | $65,815 |
| Sociology | $57,846 | $63,608 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,747 | $60,761 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,406 | $56,862 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $62,126 | $61,604 |
| Social Sciences, General | $61,617 | $58,680 |
| Teacher Education | $61,304 | $59,659 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Washington State Uni... | Central Washington U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 77 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 90 | 75 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 73 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 61 | 47 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 77 | 47 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 68 |
The Verdict
Washington State University significantly outperforms Central Washington University on financial ROI (84 vs 68). The 16-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Central Washington University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Washington State University.
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Washington State University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Central Washington University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.