Washington State University's published cost of attendance is $27,648, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $7,074, middle-income families pay around $11,519, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,726.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $27,648 |
| Tuition and Fees | $29,950 |
| Room and Board | $13,622 |
| Books and Supplies | $762 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,677 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,971 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,074 |
| $30–48k | $8,971 |
| $48–75k | $11,519 |
| $75–110k | $18,426 |
| $110k+ | $24,726 |
Washington State University's published cost of attendance is $27,648, but need-based aid reshapes what families actually pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $7,074, middle-income families pay around $11,519, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,726. Azimuth ranks Washington State University #363 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. Washington State University participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and the gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for lower-income families — the pattern typical of public research universities with meaningful need-based grant funding. Families applying for aid use the FAFSA, and Washington's state grant programs provide additional support for in-state residents, further reducing out-of-pocket costs for qualifying students. The net price illusion is real here: the published cost of attendance overstates what most families pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,968; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $73,467, 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 .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Washington State University earn median earnings of $54,000 four years after enrollment, placing Washington State University in the 65th percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $55,000 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn $3,000 less than expected, placing the institution in the 40th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures still represent lifetime returns relative to Washington's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $34,000, the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential. Washington State University's degree output leans toward business, which accounts for 20% of graduates, followed by engineering at 14% and health professions at 10%. Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks nursing 25th nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions, with nursing graduates earning median earnings of $84,000 four years after enrollment. Azimuth ranks Mechanical engineering 50th nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with mechanical engineering graduates earning $76,000, and computer science ranks 75th nationally with computer science graduates earning $72,000. Electrical engineering and civil engineering round out the top programs, with Azimuth ranking them 90th and 100th nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions respectively.
