Eastern Washington University combines open access admission with strong affordability outcomes, ranking at the 80.8th percentile for cost management. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university produces $5,694 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer medians, supporting accessible higher education with solid career preparation.
With an above average tier, driven by earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
With a strong tier phrase, indicating well above average performance in managing costs and debt levels for students
With a strong tier designation, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into career advancement
With a strong tier designation, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into career advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Strong affordability with accessible admission
Eastern Washington University ranks #292 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 82.1st percentile and a strong tier designation. Located in Cheney, Washington, this medium-sized public university maintains open access with a 91.8% acceptance rate while delivering above-average outcomes across multiple measures.
Eastern Washington University enrolls 34.5% Pell-eligible students and 36.2% first-generation students, demonstrating commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $5,694 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 75.8th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $57,897 ten years after enrollment, placing Eastern Washington University at the 65th percentile for long-term outcomes. The university's Opportunity Builders designation reflects its role in providing accessible higher education while maintaining solid post-graduation results for diverse student populations.
Eastern Washington University combines accessible admission with well above average affordability outcomes and controlled debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $57,897 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 65th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $36,589 at the 25th percentile to $80,559 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career trajectories across disciplines. The institution generates $5,694 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 75.8th percentile nationally on this measure and achieving a strong tier designation.
Students seeking accessible education with solid career preparation, particularly in specialized fields like Agricultural Teacher Education, Artificial Intelligence, and health sciences. Well-suited for first-generation students (36.2%) and transfer students (33.4%) looking for a supportive public university environment with manageable costs and strong value in specific program areas.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Eastern Washington University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/eastern-washington-university/analysis.
Eastern Washington University admits 91.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Eastern Washington University in the Open Access category, with admission rates exceeding 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Eastern Washington University is more accessible than typical institutions in its comparison group, with an admission rate 7.2 percentage points higher than peers. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students can expect admission, though meeting minimum requirements remains essential.
For students building college lists, Eastern Washington University represents a accessible option where admission likelihood is high for students meeting basic academic standards. The university's open access approach reflects its mission to serve diverse student populations, including first-generation and transfer students who comprise significant portions of the enrolled student body.
Applicants should focus on demonstrating readiness for college-level work rather than exceptional academic achievement, as the university prioritizes broad educational opportunity over highly selective admission. Students considering Eastern Washington University can approach their applications with confidence while ensuring they meet fundamental preparation requirements.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Eastern Washington University's published cost of attendance is $22,772 per year, consisting of $8,353 in-state tuition, $14,880 for room and board, and $798 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $25,892, significantly increasing total costs.
However, the average student pays just $13,091 after financial aid, representing savings of $9,681 from the sticker price. This net price sits $1,002 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating Eastern Washington University provides more affordable education than similar institutions.
The substantial gap between published costs and actual net prices reflects the university's commitment to financial aid and affordability. For Washington residents, the combination of moderate in-state tuition and substantial financial aid creates favorable conditions for degree completion without excessive borrowing.
The university's affordability ranking at the 80.8th percentile demonstrates strong performance in cost management relative to peer institutions. Students and families should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as financial aid significantly reduces actual costs for most enrolled students.
Eastern Washington University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $46,469 six years after enrollment to $52,481 at eight years and $57,897 at ten years, representing 24.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on ten-year cohorts ranging from 3,563 to 3,927 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across multiple graduation classes. Graduates earn $5,694 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Eastern Washington University at the 75.8th percentile for earnings uplift and achieving a strong tier phrase designation.
Low-income graduates earn $46,100, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds. Earnings span from $36,589 at the 25th percentile to $80,559 at the 75th percentile, indicating meaningful variation based on program choice and career path.
Approximately 23.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, with high confidence in this estimate based on program mix, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suny Buffalo State University Similar quality tier (#291 ranked) | NY | 76% | $52,334 | #291 | Compare |
University Of Louisville Similar quality tier (#290 ranked) | KY | 81% | $53,899 | #290 | Compare |
Wichita State University Similar quality tier (#294 ranked) | KS | 95% | $51,532 | #294 | Compare |
Virginia State University Similar quality tier (#295 ranked) | VA | 89% | $45,543 | #295 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee-Chattanooga Similar quality tier (#297 ranked) | TN | 77% | $51,151 | #297 | Compare |
Artificial Intelligence.
85 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
46 graduates
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other.
6 graduates
Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
60 graduates
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician.
13 graduates
Eastern Washington University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Artificial Intelligence ranks #61 nationally and #4 in Washington, producing 85 graduates with median earnings of $84,822 and a value score of 70.1, representing the institution's highest-earning program.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #17 nationally and #2 in Washington, graduating 110 students with median earnings of $53,164 and an exceptional value score of 88.5. Aerospace Physiology and Medicine ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Washington, with 106 graduates earning $51,518 and achieving a value score of 80.0.
Business Administration and Management ranks #135 nationally and #5 in Washington, serving as the largest program with 164 graduates earning $58,830. Psychology ranks #111 nationally and #3 in Washington, graduating 117 students with median earnings of $45,250 and a value score of 68.2.
Several programs demonstrate flagship status at the institution, with strong enrollment numbers and competitive state rankings across diverse academic fields.