Human Computer Interaction at DigiPen Institute of Technology

DigiPen's Human Computer Interaction bachelor's degree produces first-year earnings of $50,265—about $9,500 below the national median for HCI programs. That gap matters: nationally, this program ranks only at the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs elsewhere achieve better graduate outcomes. The debt load of $28,209 isn't excessive (just above the national median), yielding a reasonable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio, but the relatively modest starting salary limits how quickly graduates can pay down those loans compared to peers at stronger programs.

Washington context provides an interesting counterpoint. With only two schools offering HCI degrees in the state, DigiPen sits right at the state median, placing it in the 60th percentile among Washington programs. This suggests DigiPen isn't necessarily underperforming its local market—Washington's HCI salaries may simply lag behind tech hubs like California or Massachusetts where most comparable programs cluster.

For families considering DigiPen, understand you're paying for specialized education at a niche institution where outcomes trail national standards but match local expectations. If your child plans to stay in the Pacific Northwest and values DigiPen's game-industry connections, this makes more sense than if they're aiming for competitive UX positions at major tech companies where peers from higher-ranked programs will command significantly better offers. The debt is manageable, but the earning potential suggests this isn't the premium program DigiPen's gaming reputation might imply.