Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Eastern Washington University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Cheney, WA · 6,222 students

The verdict

Eastern Washington University charges a net price of $13,886/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $55,544. Graduates earn a median $57,897 ten years after entry, $9,537/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.8 years — a 20-year net return of $135,196, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share

Eastern Washington University's 5.8-year payback ranks #508 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 60% of them, and #13 of 64 in Washington.

Better ROI than 60% of US colleges#508 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$13,886
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$57,897
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
5.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
91%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Eastern Washington University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$13,886/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$55,544our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$57,897Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$9,537/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$19,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback5.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$135,196our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on Eastern Washington University's own numbers. Net price $13,886 × 4 years = $55,544 total. Median earnings $57,897 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,537 a year of premium. $55,544 ÷ $9,537 = 5.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $135,196. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do Eastern Washington University students graduate with?

A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $57,897 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of Eastern Washington University students graduate?

43% finish their degree — 57% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $55,544 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $129,172 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is Eastern Washington University expensive compared with other Washington colleges?

Its $13,886 net price runs $1,860 above the $12,027 median across the 64 Washington colleges we profile, or $7,438 more across the full degree.

Eastern Washington University: frequently asked questions

Is Eastern Washington University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Eastern Washington University charges $13,886/yr after aid ($55,544 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $57,897 ten years out — $9,537/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 5.8 years and returns $135,196 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a Eastern Washington University degree take to pay off?
About 5.8 years. We divide the $55,544 four-year net cost by the $9,537/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Eastern Washington University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $13,886/yr — about $55,544 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Eastern Washington University compare to other Washington colleges?
It ranks #13 of 64 Washington colleges we track by payback. Its $57,897 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $13,886 net price is below the national median of $16,902.