Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #311 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Eastern Washington University sits in the 71.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earn about $3,313 more than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #211 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Eastern Washington University's composite ranking reflects a consistent pattern across access, mobility, and earnings beyond expectations — outcomes that hold up across the university's broad, regionally focused student population. Graduates earn about $3,313 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a result that places Eastern Washington University among the stronger-performing institutions in the Azimuth coverage set for turning enrollment into real financial progress.
Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #311 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University enrolls roughly 6,222 undergraduates. Retention stands at 67.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 43.5%, figures that reflect a regional public university serving a broad, working-class student population. The composite is anchored by what Eastern Washington University does for students who need the most support. 35.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.2% are first-generation college students — a profile that places Eastern Washington University among the more access-oriented institutions in the Azimuth coverage set. Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #768 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median Business-anchored outcomes, and earn about $3,313 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern Washington University in the 71.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and mobility sit at 63.2 and 85.8 percentile respectively among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the university's broad admissions posture — Eastern Washington University admits about 90.8% of applicants — and its role as a regional pathway institution for students across eastern Washington. Affordability sits in the 82.4 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, shaped by the public-tuition structure and the institution's reach into lower-income households. For students weighing long-run financial outcomes against upfront cost, Eastern Washington University represents a regionally grounded option where access is broad and degree completion translates into earnings that compare reasonably with what similar students achieve elsewhere.
Eastern Washington University's published cost of attendance is $24,478. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $9,547, middle-income families pay around $12,292, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,279. Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #252 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Eastern Washington's aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional funding to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The university participates in standard federal aid programs and processes applications through the FAFSA. For families evaluating affordability alongside earnings outcomes, the combination of moderate net prices and the institution's strong return on investment for business-focused students creates a relatively accessible path to degree completion and post-graduation employment. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,148; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,781, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Eastern Washington University is a strong fit for students drawn to business, education, and applied professional fields who want an accessible public university in WA with a clear path to stable post-graduation earnings. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,781, placing Eastern Washington University in the 46.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $3,313 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern Washington University in the 71.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Eastern Washington University enrolls a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 35.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 36.2% are first-generation — and the institution's broad access structure means that students from lower-income households can find a realistic, affordable path to a degree. Median student debt at graduation is $19,500, and higher-income families pay a net price of around $22,279. Fit depends on two realistic filters: Eastern Washington University's program mix is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking a research-intensive or highly specialized STEM environment may find a better match elsewhere. The admission rate of 90.8% makes Eastern Washington University broadly accessible to most qualified applicants.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Eastern Washington University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Eastern Washington University's published cost of attendance is $24,478. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $9,547, middle-income families pay around $12,292, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,279.
Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #252 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Eastern Washington's aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional funding to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. The university participates in standard federal aid programs and processes applications through the FAFSA.
For families evaluating affordability alongside earnings outcomes, the combination of moderate net prices and the institution's strong return on investment for business-focused students creates a relatively accessible path to degree completion and post-graduation employment. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,148; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,781, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Eastern Washington University earn median earnings of $60,781 four years after enrollment, placing Eastern Washington University in the 46.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,313 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Eastern Washington University in the 71.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Eastern Washington University #768 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Eastern Washington University also sits in the 64.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a [historical 10-year Scorecard measure](/analysis/college-scorecard-2026-4-year-vs-10-year-earnings-2-2/) not yet updated to the four-year horizon.
The program mix at Eastern Washington University is anchored by Business, which represents the largest share of degree output and drives much of the institution's earnings profile. Subject-Specific Teacher Education stands out as the program combining the broadest cohort scale with the strongest aggregate earnings contribution, making it a key driver of institution-wide outcomes.
Subject-Specific Teacher Education, with 151 graduates earning median earnings of $57,915 four years after enrollment, is the highest-earning program at the institution; Azimuth ranks Subject-Specific Teacher Education #29 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Psychology, General and Biology, General also deliver competitive median earnings — $50,125 and $56,083 respectively — with Azimuth ranking Psychology, General #164 and Biology, General #227 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Rounding out the picture, Business Administration and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences enroll substantial cohorts and post median earnings of $65,503 and $60,556 respectively, reflecting the breadth of career-ready fields available at Eastern Washington University.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
80 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
39 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
50 graduates
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
17 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
89 graduates
Eastern Washington University's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields, a signature consistent with its regional public university identity in eastern Washington. The dominant program family is Business, which accounts for 18% of degree output, followed by Education at 11% and Social Sciences at 7%.
Across 59 programs serving roughly 2,179 graduates annually, the university concentrates its strongest outcomes in fields with direct workforce entry pathways. The program with the highest aggregate return at Eastern Washington University is Subject-Specific Teacher Education, combining meaningful cohort scale with competitive four-year earnings — making it a key economic driver for the institution's graduates.
Among the most popular programs, Subject-Specific Teacher Education program graduates 151 students with median earnings of $57,915 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #29 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Psychology, General and Biology, General round out the high-enrollment tier, each connecting large student cohorts to stable regional labor markets.
See [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) for the full ranking methodology. The highest-earning programs at Eastern Washington University cluster in applied and technical fields.
Artificial Intelligence leads on early earnings, with graduates earning median earnings of $95,817 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #78 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Accounting and Business Administration also deliver strong early-career pay, reflecting the university's alignment with sectors where regional employers recruit directly.
These high-mobility, direct-to-workforce programs are where Eastern Washington University's earnings profile is most competitive — a pattern consistent with the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) in the Pacific Northwest labor market.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of South Alabama Similar quality tier (#10826 ranked) | AL | 71% | $49,379 | #10826 | Compare |
Valdosta State University Similar quality tier (#10827 ranked) | GA | 72% | $49,361 | #10827 | Compare |
Arkansas State University Similar quality tier (#10818 ranked) | AR | 82% | $42,617 | #10818 | Compare |
Southern Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#10833 ranked) | CT | 91% | $55,043 | #10833 | Compare |
Indiana State University Similar quality tier (#10815 ranked) | IN | 81% | $48,387 | #10815 | Compare |
