Biological and Physical Sciences at Washington State University

Washington State University's Biological and Physical Sciences program significantly outperforms both state and national competition, with first-year earnings of $46,288 putting it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within Washington. That's more than $11,000 above what typical graduates earn from similar programs in the state, and $12,000 above the national median. Among the handful of Washington schools offering this degree, WSU delivers the strongest outcomes by a considerable margin.

The debt picture is reasonable at $19,500—below both state and national medians for this field—though the program ranks at the 74th percentile nationally, meaning some schools manage even lower debt loads. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, a manageable position that improves as earnings grow 20% by year four to $55,611. This upward trajectory suggests graduates are building marketable skills rather than hitting an early ceiling.

For Washington families choosing between in-state options, this program stands out as the clear value leader in biological and physical sciences. The combination of relatively modest debt and earnings that substantially exceed state norms makes this a strong investment, particularly given WSU's high admission rate makes it accessible to most qualified students.