Washington State University
Pullman, Washington · Public · 86.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 84/100 · Strong Value
Washington State University
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,391/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,950/yr |
| Average net price | $14,971/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $59,884 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,905 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 60.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 21,099 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
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 | $7,074 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,971 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,519 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,426 |
| $110,001+ | $24,726 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Washington State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $56,681 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $91,495 | B+ |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $67,647 | B |
| Biology | $60,418 | C |
| Social Sciences, General | $61,617 | C |
| Marketing | $76,595 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,971 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $61,304 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,321 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $86,012 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Washington State University is $13,391/year ($29,950/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,971/year, or roughly $59,884 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,074/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,726/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $68,905 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.6% |
| Enrollment | 21,099 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,233 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State University (this school) | 84 | $14,971 | $68,905 |
| George Mason University | 86 | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| University of Utah | 84 | $16,200 | $67,170 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | 80 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| Central Washington University | 68 | $18,476 | $61,580 |
| Eastern Washington University | 66 | $13,886 | $57,897 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Washington State University delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $14,971 per year ($59,884 over four years), graduates earn a median of $68,905 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.9 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable against $68,905 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.