Western Washington University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Western Washington University charges a net price of $21,193/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $84,772. Graduates earn a median $62,569 ten years after entry, $14,209/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6 years — a 20-year net return of $199,408, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Western Washington University's 6-year payback ranks #529 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 59% of them, and #14 of 64 in Washington.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,193/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $84,772 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,569 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $14,209/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $199,408 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Western Washington University's own numbers. Net price $21,193 × 4 years = $84,772 total. Median earnings $62,569 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $14,209 a year of premium. $84,772 ÷ $14,209 = 6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $199,408. 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 Western Washington University students graduate with?
A median $18,500 in federal loans among completers, or 30% of the $62,569 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Western Washington University students graduate?
65% finish their degree — 35% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $84,772 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $130,418 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Western Washington University expensive compared with other Washington colleges?
Its $21,193 net price runs $9,167 above the $12,027 median across the 64 Washington colleges we profile, or $36,666 more across the full degree.