Physiology, Pathology at Central Washington University

Central Washington's physiology program delivers outcomes right at Washington's state median—$30,340 after one year—which places it in the 60th percentile among Washington programs, though it trails Gonzaga and UW-Seattle by several thousand dollars annually. The positive news: graduates carry $20,500 in debt, notably less than both the state median ($23,882) and national median ($23,384), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. Within four years, earnings climb to $35,462, representing solid 17% growth.

The tension here is that while this program beats state and national averages on debt management, the earnings trajectory starts below what many pre-med or health science families might expect. At $30,340 initially, graduates earn slightly below the national program median. For students viewing this as a stepping stone to graduate or professional programs—common with physiology degrees—the lower debt load becomes the real advantage. But for those planning to enter the workforce directly, the modest starting salary means the first few years will be lean, even with reasonable debt payments.

For families prioritizing affordable preparation for medical or graduate school, Central Washington's combination of accessible admission (90% acceptance rate) and below-average debt makes sense. Just understand that this degree typically requires further education to reach higher earning potential—the bachelor's alone puts you at middle-of-the-pack outcomes in Washington's job market.