DigiPen Institute of Technology
DigiPen Institute of Technology — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
DigiPen Institute of Technology at a Glance
DigiPen Institute of Technology is a private for-profit university in Redmond, Washington. It also has campuses in Singapore and Bilbao, Spain. DigiPen offers bachelors' and masters' degree programs in computer science, game design, digital art and animation, and audio programming and design.
1988
38 years old
2,500
Identity
Is DigiPen Institute of Technology Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, DigiPen Institute of Technology is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $79,878 — 49% above average — while paying $44,446/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at DigiPen Institute of Technology has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How DigiPen Institute of Technology compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 6 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | 35 | $28,197 | $61,480 |
| #2 | Southern California Institute of Technology | 31 | $33,392 | $53,598 |
| #3 | Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati | 30 | $28,785 | $61,480 |
| #4 | West Coast University-Miami | 26 | $32,539 | $102,672 |
| #5 | DigiPen Institute of Technology | 25 | $44,446 | $79,878 |
| #6 | Chamberlain University-Nevada | 17 | $27,073 | $92,405 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of DigiPen Institute of Technology's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at DigiPen Institute of Technology
The highest-earning program at DigiPen Institute of Technology is Computer Programming at $74,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Graphic Communications at $26,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Programming graduate from DigiPen Institute of Technology earns $74,500, while a Graphic Communications graduate earns $26,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Programming graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Graphic Communications.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $44,446/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programming | $74,500 | $74,500 | $27,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $26,000 | $26,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Redmond, WA
- Student Body
- 995 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $44,446
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $79,878
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000