Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in Washington by ROI
Colleges in Washington ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Washington
7
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$21,254
Across Washington programs
Average Annual Cost
$39,840
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Grad rate: 84.0% |
+$290,974 | $63,432 | $30,282 | $12,250 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Western Washington University
Grad rate: 65.5% |
+$165,140 | $57,268 | $28,305 | $20,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Seattle Pacific University
Grad rate: 63.8% |
+$15,036 | $55,304 | $53,986 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Grad rate: 41.9% |
+$9,716 | $45,556 | $15,351 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Washington State University
Grad rate: 62.0% |
-$12,566 | $48,346 | $27,176 | $22,802 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Cornish College of the Arts
Grad rate: 52.4% |
-$257,730 | $41,966 | $55,150 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Seattle University
Grad rate: 73.8% |
-$359,351 | $39,365 | $68,633 | $23,792 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees by State
Browse Design and Applied Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.