DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond, Washington · Private For-Profit · 64.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Washington is a for-profit school with 995 students that trains game developers and software engineers. The ROI score of 68 (Fair Value) tells a mixed story: excellent starting earnings in technical programs, but a 61% completion rate and a net price of $44,446 that is high even by private-for-profit standards. Computer Programming graduates earn $102,580 in their first year -- an elite outcome that reflects the concentrated Seattle/Redmond tech market. Computer Software and Media Applications (91 graduates) earns $81,885 at year one and $122,375 at year four. Those are strong numbers. The problem is that a meaningful portion of students never reach those outcomes. At $44,446 annual net price and a 61% completion rate, students who leave without a degree have paid $44k+ with nothing to show for it. The payback period for graduates is 7.1 years -- reasonable but not fast given the high entry cost. Graphic Communications (65 graduates) earns $37,605 starting and only $45,571 at four years, with a D-grade debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.718. Students in non-programming tracks at DigiPen face poor financial outcomes.
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $38,950/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $38,950/yr |
| Average net price | $44,446/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $177,784 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $79,878 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $60,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 61.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 995 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at DigiPen Institute of Technology is $38,950/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $44,446/year, or roughly $177,784 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $28,354/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $52,617/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $79,878 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,354 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,113 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $41,496 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $45,880 |
| $110,001+ | $52,617 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $28,354 per year -- substantial even after aid. At $28k/year for a school with a 61% completion rate, the financial risk for low-income students is real. A student who does not complete has spent more than $56,000 for two years without a degree credential. The programming and software tracks can justify this cost for completers, but the downside scenario is severe.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $31,113 and the 48,001-75,000 bracket rises to $41,496. Cost increases are steep through the middle-income range. The 75,001-110,000 bracket reaches $45,880, near the full net price. Middle-income families see relatively little aid relative to the sticker cost -- the school's aid model does not aggressively discount for this income range.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $52,617 -- above the average net price, suggesting higher-income families receive less discount. At $52,617/year, a four-year degree costs over $210,000. For graduates entering programming roles at $100,000+, the payback math is workable but tight. For graduates in Graphic Communications or HCI, the numbers do not work at full price.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at DigiPen Institute of Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $122,375 | B+ |
| Graphic Communications | $45,571 | D |
| Human Computer Interaction | $87,243 | C |
| Computer Engineering | $101,832 | - |
| Computer Programming | $137,503 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Programming
Computer Programming graduates report median first-year earnings of $102,580, climbing to $137,503 at four years. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.263 earns a B+ grade despite the high cost of attendance. This program feeds directly into game studios, engine developers, and tech firms concentrated in the Seattle-Redmond corridor -- Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Valve, and numerous smaller studios recruit from DigiPen. The grad count is not reported in the dataset, but the earnings trajectory is among the strongest in the for-profit sector. Students in this track who complete the program and land industry jobs see genuine returns. The caveat is the high entry cost: $44,446/year means even a strong salary requires careful debt management.
Computer Software and Media Applications
With 91 graduates per year, this is DigiPen's highest-volume program. Starting pay of $81,885 rises to $122,375 at four years, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.330 earns a B+ grade. This program trains software engineers with a media emphasis -- typically graduates enter game development, simulation, or interactive media roles. The four-year earnings trajectory is excellent, putting these graduates in line with software engineers from more traditional CS programs. Median debt of $27,000 is on the high side but defensible against a $122k four-year earnings figure. Students who complete this program are in a strong financial position.
Human Computer Interaction
HCI graduates 40 students per year with starting pay of $50,265 rising to $87,243 at four years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.561 earns a C grade. HCI sits at the intersection of design and technology -- graduates pursue UX research, product design, and interface development roles. The four-year trajectory is strong, but the first year is slow compared to the programming tracks. Students who accept early lower pay while building a UX portfolio tend to see the trajectory improve. The C-grade ROI reflects starting-year weakness; four-year outcomes are considerably better.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 90.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | N/A | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 86.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 64.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-700 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 27-29 |
| Enrollment | 995 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,167 |
DigiPen accepts 64.4% of applicants, making it moderately selective. SAT Math scores of 560-700 and ACT 27-29 suggest a technically oriented admitted class. The school's selectivity filters more by program fit than by raw academic rank -- applicants who demonstrate clear game-development or programming intent are more likely to be accepted and to succeed once enrolled.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
DigiPen's listed peers -- Northwest College of Art and Design and multiple West Coast University campuses -- are weaker comparisons. DigiPen's Computer Programming and Software graduates outperform all of those peers on earnings. A more meaningful comparison would be to public CS programs in Washington state, where UW Seattle produces similar earnings at a fraction of the cost. DigiPen's premium is real but comes with high entry costs and a non-trivial completion risk.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| DigiPen Institute of Technology (this school) | 68 | $44,446 | $79,878 |
| West Coast University-Texas | 76 | $25,992 | $102,672 |
| West Coast University-Miami | 76 | $32,539 | $102,672 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | 71 | $49,590 | $102,672 |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles | 69 | $53,020 | $102,672 |
| Northwest College of Art & Design | 17 | $16,418 | $31,167 |
Who Thrives Here
High-motivation students committed specifically to game development or software engineering careers. SAT Math 560-700 is the typical admitted profile; ACT runs 27-29. Pell rate of 22.5% indicates moderate financial diversity. This school fits students who know the industry they want to enter and have the persistence to get through a technically demanding curriculum. Students who arrive undecided or switch into Graphic Communications face significantly worse financial outcomes. The Seattle proximity matters: internship placements in the game and tech sectors are DigiPen's main ROI driver.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
DigiPen Institute of Technology offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $44,446 per year leads to $177,784 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $79,878 a decade out. The payback period of 7.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $27,000 against $79,878 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.