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Computer Software and Media Applications at Eastern Washington University

Cheney, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
40
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,046/yr (-37% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #37 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Software and Media Applications graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $485K $486K $462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.5x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 40 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,412
Out-of-state: $103,568 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,364
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,296
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,920
51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,046 place Eastern Washington University below the $46,351 national median for Computer Software and Media Applications — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 14.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 70% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,296 debt-to-$29,046 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #37 out of 55 programs, Eastern Washington University's financial outcomes for Computer Software and Media Applications trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,046 to $43,920 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 6,517 students in Cheney, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Washington University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 55 schools offering Computer Software and Media Applications →

Computer Software and Media Applications at Other Schools

University of Southern California ($103,071) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($98,117) Western Governors University ($95,292) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($86,193) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($83,476) University of Phoenix-California ($83,476) University of Phoenix-Texas ($83,476) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885)

Other Majors at Eastern Washington University

Engineering Technology, General ($70,789) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($67,984) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($67,004) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($66,443) Mechanical Engineering ($62,497) Accounting and Related Services ($52,665) Finance and Financial Management Services ($48,728) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($48,114)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Computer Software and Media Applications trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Washington University's Computer Software and Media Applications program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Computer Software and Media Applications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Computer Software and Media Applications to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Software and Media Applications careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 70% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Computer Software and Media Applications earnings lower at Eastern Washington University?
Lower starting pay at Eastern Washington University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →