Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Washington University at a Glance
Eastern Washington University (EWU) is a public university in Cheney, Washington, United States. It shares Riverpoint Campus, its satellite campus in Spokane, Washington, with Washington State University.
1882
144 years old
$32M
$32.1 million (2023)
10,915
802
300 acres
Identity
Is Eastern Washington University Worth It?
Eastern Washington University offers moderate value at $13,886/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,897, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Eastern Washington University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #58 of 170 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | California State University-East Bay | 90 | $9,320 | $71,401 |
| #58 | Eastern Washington University | 47 | $13,886 | $57,897 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern Washington University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in WA.
Best Programs at Eastern Washington University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Washington University is Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at $61,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Dental Support Services and Allied Professions graduate from Eastern Washington University earns $61,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $22,200. 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: Dental Support Services and Allied Professions graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $19,976 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,886/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $61,800 | $61,800 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $60,400 | $60,400 | $20,320 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,200 | $54,200 | $23,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $52,200 | $52,200 | $20,952 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $51,800 | $51,800 | $24,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,000 | $42,000 | $18,646 |
| Chemistry | $41,000 | $41,000 | $19,883 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,100 | $40,100 | $26,896 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $39,800 | $39,800 | $18,362 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,700 | $38,700 | $22,139 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $38,600 | $38,600 | $25,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,100 | $38,100 | $20,483 |
| Marketing | $35,500 | $35,500 | $19,451 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,300 | $34,300 | $22,430 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $32,600 | $32,600 | $21,500 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $20,771 |
| Social Work | $31,000 | $31,000 | $20,312 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,800 | $30,800 | $19,500 |
| Criminology | $30,000 | $30,000 | $22,700 |
| Biology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $22,869 |
| Psychology, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $21,237 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $29,100 | $29,100 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $28,600 | $28,600 | $26,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $27,000 | $27,000 | $15,727 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $26,400 | $26,400 | $21,000 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $25,900 | $25,900 | $21,511 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25,600 | $25,600 | $20,721 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $23,400 | $23,400 | $18,894 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,200 | $22,200 | $19,976 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Cheney, WA
- Student Body
- 6,222 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,886
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,897
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500