Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Washington State University

Washington State's Communication Disorders program demonstrates impressive earnings growth but carries a caveat worth understanding. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data sample, these numbers may not reflect a typical experience. That said, the trajectory is striking: graduates who earn $27,463 in year one see their income double to $55,402 by year four—a 102% increase that substantially outpaces what most programs deliver. At $26,000 in median debt, students carry slightly above the state's median but well below national averages for this field, resulting in a manageable 0.95 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Washington's four communication disorders programs, which translates to stronger-than-average performance both statewide and nationally. The first-year salary of $27,463 exceeds both Washington's median ($25,791) and the national benchmark ($24,702), suggesting graduates enter the field at a competitive starting point. The dramatic year-four earnings spike likely reflects graduates completing prerequisites for graduate programs in speech-language pathology or audiology, where salaries rise substantially with advanced credentials.

For families comfortable with the uncertainty of a small sample size, this program offers a reasonable financial foundation for students planning to pursue graduate study in the field. The debt burden is moderate, and the earnings trajectory aligns with typical career paths in communication sciences. Just remember these numbers might shift as more graduates enter the data.