Computer and Information Sciences at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University's Computer Science program sits in an interesting middle ground: while it outperforms the national median by nearly $6,000 and shows impressive 27% earnings growth over four years, it falls short of Washington state's unusually strong tech market. Landing at the 40th percentile among Washington programs means graduates earn roughly $6,800 less than the state median, though they're still clearing $84,000 by year four—a respectable trajectory.

The value proposition here is straightforward. With debt under $26,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, graduates can reasonably expect to pay off loans within a year or two of starting work. That's particularly notable given that 35% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program successfully launches lower-income students into middle-class tech careers. The consistent earnings growth indicates graduates aren't hitting a ceiling early.

For families weighing this against Washington's elite programs like UW-Seattle or Pacific Lutheran, the question is whether the $6,000-10,000 annual earnings gap justifies potentially higher costs or admission barriers at those schools. Eastern Washington's 92% admission rate offers accessible entry to a solid tech career, even if it won't place your child at the top of Washington's competitive tech ladder. If your child can gain admission to UW, the earnings data suggests pursuing that option. But as a reliable path into the field with manageable debt, this program delivers on its promise.