Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 62.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 61.6%
- Retention Rate
- 79.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $68,905
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $19,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 72.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $207/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $135,393 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $123,178 | $137,435 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $112,073 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $106,421 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $105,813 | $64,792 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $100,915 | $53,547 |
| Veterinary Medicine. | Doctoral | $79,822 | $108,355 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,204 | $19,902 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $74,017 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,881 | $18,546 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $71,015 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,757 | $13,476 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $69,691 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $69,338 | $34,582 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $68,808 | $20,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Washington State University graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $19,500, well below the national average of around $30,000. Monthly loan payments of $207 represent just 4.4% of typical first-year earnings of $49,447. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 is excellent for a public research university. WSU's strong programs in veterinary medicine, agriculture, and engineering feed into high-demand fields where starting salaries often exceed the median. The 95% employment rate reflects the school's practical focus and industry connections in the Pacific Northwest. With 72% of borrowers successfully repaying loans and earnings climbing to $68,905 after ten years, WSU delivers a strong return on investment for most students.