Business Administration, Management and Operations at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University's business program shows an unusual pattern: graduates start below both state and national medians but then accelerate past their peers. First-year earnings of $45,138 lag the Washington state median by $4,000, placing this program in just the 40th percentile among the state's 37 business programs. However, by year four, earnings jump 30% to $58,830—solidly above the national median and approaching the state average. This trajectory suggests the program may emphasize skills that take longer to monetize in the job market.

The standout feature here is debt management. At $19,168, graduates carry roughly $7,000 less debt than the state median and significantly less than the national average. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, most graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a year of full-time work, even at starting salaries. For families watching their budgets—and with 35% of students receiving Pell grants, many are—this matters considerably.

The tradeoff is clear: your student will likely start their career earning less than peers from higher-ranked Washington programs, but they'll do so with manageable debt and strong earnings momentum. If your child can weather a slower first year or two financially, the combination of low debt and steady income growth makes this a practical choice, especially for in-state students paying public university tuition.