University of Washington-Seattle Campus vs Washington State University: which has better ROI?
University of Washington-Seattle Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $56,364 in 1.9 years versus 2.9 years at Washington State University, on median earnings of $78,466 vs $68,905 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Washington State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,091 | $14,971 |
| Total net cost | $56,364 | $59,884 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,466 | $68,905 |
| Median debt | $14,615 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 1.9 yrs | 2.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $545,756 | $351,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Washington-Seattle Campus or Washington State University?
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, at $14,091 a year after aid versus $14,971 — a gap of $880 a year, or $3,520 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Washington-Seattle Campus or Washington State University graduates earn more?
University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates report a median $78,466 ten years after entry, $9,561 more than the $68,905 at Washington State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Washington-Seattle Campus or Washington State University?
University of Washington-Seattle Campus: its completers carry a median $14,615 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Washington State University, a difference of $4,885. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at University of Washington-Seattle Campus, against 61% at Washington State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.