Management Information Systems and Services at Washington State University

Washington State University's MIS program sits right at the national median for starting salaries ($59,490), but here's what matters for Washington families: it outperforms 60% of in-state programs, placing it second among the six schools offering this degree in Washington. With debt of $23,500—slightly below both state and national averages—graduates face a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means roughly five months of earnings to cover total debt, a comfortable position for a tech-adjacent field.

The program shows solid four-year earnings growth of 21%, reaching nearly $72,000 by year four. While Western Washington edges ahead by about $2,000 in starting salary, WSU students typically pay less in tuition as state residents, and the long-term trajectory appears similar. Eastern Washington lags significantly at $41,000, making WSU's positioning in the state market clear.

For Washington residents, this represents a practical choice: competitive in-state tuition, middle-of-the-pack debt, and earnings that quickly justify the investment. The program isn't breaking records, but it delivers what matters—graduates enter the workforce making reasonable salaries with manageable debt in a field with clear career pathways. Given WSU's 85% admission rate, it's also accessible to a broad range of students who want to enter tech management without reaching for the most selective programs.