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Western Washington University vs Eastern Washington University: which has better ROI?

Public, Bellingham WA · vs · Public, Cheney WA

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

The verdict

Eastern Washington University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,544 in 5.8 years versus 6 years at Western Washington University, on median earnings of $57,897 vs $62,569 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWestern Washington UniversityEastern Washington University
Net price / yr$21,193$13,886
Total net cost$84,772$55,544
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,569$57,897
Median debt$18,500$19,500
Payback6 yrs5.8 yrs
20-year net return$199,408$135,196

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

Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or Eastern Washington University?

Eastern Washington University, at $13,886 a year after aid versus $21,193 — a gap of $7,307 a year, or $29,228 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 Eastern Washington University graduates earn more?

Western Washington University graduates report a median $62,569 ten years after entry, $4,672 more than the $57,897 at Eastern 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 Eastern Washington University?

Western Washington University: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Eastern Washington University, a difference of $1,000. 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 43% at Eastern Washington 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.

Western Washington University vs Eastern Washington University: frequently asked questions

Is Western Washington University or Eastern Washington University a better value?
Eastern Washington University. It clears its $55,544 net cost in about 5.8 years versus 6 years at Western Washington University, on median earnings of $57,897 vs $62,569 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Washington University or Eastern Washington University?
Eastern Washington University: $13,886/yr net price after aid versus $21,193/yr at Western Washington University — a difference of $7,307 a year, or about $29,228 over four years.
Do Western Washington University or Eastern Washington University graduates earn more?
Western Washington University graduates earn a median $62,569 ten years after entry, versus $57,897 at Eastern Washington University — a $4,672 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.