Washington State University

What are the graduation rates for students at Washington State University?

WSU's reported six-year graduation rate is 60% for the measured first-time, full-time student cohort. Its four-year rate is 41%. These measures track completion within set time limits; they do not mean that everyone outside those limits left without a degree.

The reported first-year retention rate is 78%, meaning roughly that share of the relevant entering cohort returned the following fall. Retention and graduation measure different stages of enrollment and should not be read as interchangeable outcomes.

These federal cohort measures are most useful for comparing similarly defined groups. They do not capture the experiences of all transfer students, part-time students, or students who complete a degree elsewhere. Someone considering a program with competitive entry or a long prerequisite sequence should also examine that program's course availability and progression requirements.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Washington State University?

College Scorecard field-of-study figures report median earnings about one year after completion for qualifying former students with earnings records. They describe observed outcomes for particular program groups, not a salary promised to an incoming student.

Among WSU fields with reported figures, computer engineering shows about $80,700, computer science about $73,100, and registered nursing about $71,900. The corresponding reported figures are about $51,500 for business administration, $30,800 for psychology, and $29,300 for biology. Differences can reflect occupations, labor markets, further study, and the composition of the measured groups - not simply the value of one major versus another.

The figures do not represent every graduate, and early earnings may say little about later career paths. Students comparing programs should consider the specific credential and campus behind a figure, the cost of their degree, graduate-school plans, and whether the work they want requires licensure or additional training.