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Western Washington University vs DigiPen Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Bellingham WA · vs · Private for-profit, Redmond WA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

DigiPen Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $177,784 in 5.6 years versus 6 years at Western Washington University, on median earnings of $79,878 vs $62,569 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWestern Washington UniversityDigiPen Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$21,193$44,446
Total net cost$84,772$177,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,569$79,878
Median debt$18,500$27,000
Payback6 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$199,408$452,576

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology?

Western Washington University, at $21,193 a year after aid versus $44,446 — a gap of $23,253 a year, or $93,012 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates report a median $79,878 ten years after entry, $17,309 more than the $62,569 at Western Washington 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, Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology?

Western Washington University: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at DigiPen Institute of Technology, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Western Washington University, against 61% at DigiPen Institute of Technology. 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.

Western Washington University vs DigiPen Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology a better value?
DigiPen Institute of Technology. It clears its $177,784 net cost in about 5.6 years versus 6 years at Western Washington University, on median earnings of $79,878 vs $62,569 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology?
Western Washington University: $21,193/yr net price after aid versus $44,446/yr at DigiPen Institute of Technology — a difference of $23,253 a year, or about $93,012 over four years.
Do Western Washington University or DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $79,878 ten years after entry, versus $62,569 at Western Washington University — a $17,309 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.