Washington State University
Wa · Public · 100% graduation rate
Washington State University is a public university in Wa with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $22K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mechanical Engineering | $22K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Marketing | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Accounting and Related Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $22K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $28K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Social Sciences | $25K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Criminology | $25K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $25K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $25K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Animal Sciences | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| English Language and Literature | $27K | $48K | $64K | C | BUY |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Wa
How Washington State University Compares
Washington State University graduates carry a median debt of $25K across tracked majors, which is $728 less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $60K, about $2K above peers of the same type. Within Wa, the per-major debt average is $25K, so this school sits $355 below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 73 is 1 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Washington State University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Washington State University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Washington State University. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $22K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).