Washington State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$51,988
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$18,510/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
612%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Washington State University's in-state tuition costs $12,997. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $49,447. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $53,510, and after ten years, earnings reach $68,905. The median debt for graduates is $19,500, and 30.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates is favorable. The median debt of $19,500 is significantly less than the one-year earnings of $49,447. The break-even timeline, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of tuition, is less than one year based on the one-year earnings data.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$12,997
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$53,510
Graduation Rate
62%
Receive Financial Aid
31%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $51,988 | $47,776 | 391% |
| Social Sciences, General. | $51,988 | $53,186 | 600% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $51,988 | $76,963 | 1514% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $51,988 | $83,875 | 1780% |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | $51,988 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $51,988 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $51,988 | $135,417 | 3763% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $51,988 | $67,491 | 1150% |
| Biology, General. | $51,988 | $43,627 | 232% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $51,988 | $70,504 | 1266% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | $51,988 | $44,320 | 259% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $51,988 | $63,343 | 990% |
Peer Comparison
612%
20yr ROI
498%
20yr ROI
681%
20yr ROI
388%
20yr ROI
490%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.