Location: Pullman, WA•In-State Tuition: $12,997•Out-of-State Tuition: $29,073•Admission Rate: 85%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$30,303
5th percentile
Est. Median Debt
$22,341
Est. from national median (24 programs)
Sample: 21 graduates Limited data

Where Washington State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all public policy analysis bachelors's programs nationally

Washington State University (estimated ±10%)Other public policy analysis programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Washington State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Washington State University earns $30k — 5th percentile among public policy analysis bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Washington State University$30,303$52,378+73%
Dickinson College$61,592$109,508+78%
Duke University$60,501$97,427+61%
Cornell University$77,906$88,830+14%
University of Chicago$60,057$85,597+43%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Public Policy Analysis bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$30,303$52,378$22,341*—
Cornell UniversityIthaca$66,014$77,906$88,830$15,750*0.20
Princeton UniversityPrinceton$59,710$73,630—$10,527*0.14
Dickinson CollegeCarlisle$63,475$61,592$109,508—*—
Duke UniversityDurham$65,805$60,501$97,427$10,500*0.17
University of ChicagoChicago$66,939$60,057$85,597$17,492*0.29
National Median—$44,740—$22,000*0.49
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with public policy analysis graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Legislators

Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Washington State University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.