Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-5910
About Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university in Pullman, Washington, with about 21,099 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 86.64% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $68,905 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Washington State University charges about 2.4× the national public median tuition ($13,391).
- Versus the Washington median, sticker tuition is 62% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 60.50%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $68,905.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Washington State University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1051% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Washington State University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 158 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State University | $13,391 | $14,971 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Washington (state median) | $8,256 | $9,863 | 70 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Washington State University really?
Key findings
- Washington State University charges about 2.4× the national public median tuition ($13,391).
- Versus the Washington median, sticker tuition is 62% above.
Washington State University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $13,391
Finding Washington State University charges about 2.4× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $13,391. That is about 2.4× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Washington median ($8,256), sticker tuition is 62% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 13% above.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Washington State University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Washington State University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Washington State University is $14,971.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $14,971 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $5,108 above the Washington median net price.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Washington State University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Washington State University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Washington State University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$13,391
Out-of-state tuition
$29,950
Avg. net price
$14,971
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $7,074 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,971 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,519 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,426 |
| $110,001+ | $24,726 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $53,564. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Washington State University is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General640
- Psychology, General545
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse346
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General316
- Finance, General315
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 19% of admitted students enrolled.
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Washington State University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Washington State University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Washington State University.
Campus
Location
Pullman, WA
City / state
- ZIP
- 99164-5910
- NCES locale
- Town distant
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is at the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Far West
- Carnegie
- Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Size
Enrollment
21,099
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 23,722
- Graduate
- 4,230
- Full-time share
- 90%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$19,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 27.38%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Washington State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Washington State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Washington State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,327 | $25,409 | $16,834 |
| 2014 | $12,428 | $25,510 | $16,864 |
| 2015 | $11,967 | $25,567 | $17,878 |
| 2016 | $11,041 | $25,673 | $16,278 |
| 2017 | $11,391 | $25,817 | $16,314 |
| 2018 | $11,584 | $25,820 | $15,768 |
| 2019 | $11,841 | $26,419 | $16,358 |
| 2020 | $12,170 | $27,113 | $15,825 |
| 2021 | $12,417 | $27,733 | $8,947 |
| 2022 | $12,701 | $28,385 | $15,484 |
| 2023 | $12,997 | $29,073 | $14,401 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Washington State University reported total enrollment of about 21,099 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 47% male and 53% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (57.5%), Hispanic or Latino (18.9%), and Two or More Races (8.2%). About 27.38% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Washington State University in 2024 is 21,099 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 23,722 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,230 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
78.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
41.32% 100% Completion Time
60.50% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 41.32% of students graduating from Washington State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 53% male / 47% female
- Psychology, General: 16% male / 84% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 14% male / 86% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Washington State University graduates earn a median of $68,905 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Washington State University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $68,905. Median federal loan debt: $19,500. Average net price used in cost models: $14,971.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Washington State University graduates report median earnings of $68,905 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Washington State University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (158 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Washington State University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Washington State University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Washington State University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$1.27B
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Washington median 107× the median ($11.9M)
- Far West median 76× the median ($16.8M)
- U.S. median 48× the median ($26.4M)
- Washington median 11× the median ($4,513)
- Far West median 6.8× the median ($7,260)
- U.S. median 4.1× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 84.2%
- Washington median 10.7 pp below median (94.9%)
- Far West median 38.5 pp above median (45.7%)
- U.S. median 26.3 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $11,233
- Washington median 1.2× the median ($9,588)
- Far West median 1.2× the median ($9,635)
- U.S. median 1.5× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,856
- Washington median 1.4× the median ($8,580)
- Far West median 1.7× the median ($7,030)
- U.S. median 1.6× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Washington State University at a glance
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public institution in Pullman, WA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralPsychology, GeneralRegistered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian57.5%Hispanic or Latino18.9%Two or More Races8.2%
Schools near Washington State University
Other campuses in Pullman, WA when available, plus nearby institutions in Washington.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within Washington, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Washington State University located?
Washington State University is located in Pullman, WA.
What is Washington State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Washington State University is 86.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 26,166 applicants and 22,335 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Washington State University's tuition?
Washington State University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $13,391 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $14,971 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Washington State University cost?
Reported tuition is $13,391 and average net price is $14,971 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,622 annually.
What explains Washington State University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($14,971), completion (60.5% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($68,905). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Washington State University?
Washington State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 23,722 students, White (57.5%), Hispanic or Latino (18.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Washington State University?
About 34.1% of students at Washington State University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Washington State University earn?
Median earnings are $53,510 six years after entry and $68,905 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Washington State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 60.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Washington State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is Washington State University public or private?
Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, WA.
Is Washington State University an HBCU?
No. Washington State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Washington college profile
- Washington college costs
- Washington colleges by ROI
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus vs Washington State University vs Western Washington University
- Pullman, Washington city profile
- Far West regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Washington
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.