Financeat Western Washington University
Graduates earn $51,984/yr in their first year — about 6.0% below the national Finance average. Base-case 10-year earnings $688K; scenarios range from $610K to $715K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Washington University
Graduates earn $51,984/yr, roughly in line with the $55,340 national median for Finance. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Finance programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Finance's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $51,984 far exceeding the $19,084 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #108 of 431 nationally, this is a top-5% Finance program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $51,984 to $75,026 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Finance
How Western Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Washington University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Finance offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Finance trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Finance at Western Washington University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Finance at Western Washington University?
This program scores 79/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Finance nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Finance careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $610,102 in decade earnings vs $715,118 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Washington University's Finance program stand out?
Ranked #108 of 431 programs nationally, Western Washington University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.