AFFORDABLE—and ACCESSIBLE
How much
does it cost
| total (est. in-state, undergraduate, 2025-26) | $36,804 |
| tuition and fees | $13,886 |
| room and board (for Pullman only) | $18,774 |
| books, misc. living expenses, transportation | $4,144 |
Est. out-of-state undergraduate annual cost is $53,910
WHOA. I thought you said it was affordable
It is. Let’s compare the sticker price vs. the actual cost for a Washington state resident.
$36,804
That’s the sticker price. Most families pay less. In some cases, a lot less.
Subtract scholarships, grants and waivers
68% of WSU students receive grant or scholarship aid that doesn’t need to be repaid, with an average award of $12,107 and approximately $170 million total given to students. Scholarships are based not only on academic achievement, but also on academic interests, talent, financial need, leadership, career ambitions, and campus involvement.
36% of our students pay no tuition.
Cougar Commitment
This special program covers tuition and mandatory fees for Washington residents from a low- or middle-income family in Washington and receiving the Washington College Grant or a Pell Grant. There are some other qualifications, but to be eligible for the Cougar Commitment, you must be a Washington state resident pursuing your first bachelor’s degree and file your FAFSA or WASFA.
Loans
About 35% of our incoming students take out a loan, averaging $7,804.
What should I expect my actual cost to be?
In short, it varies, based on merit, need levels, and other eligibility criteria, but 75% of WSU students receive financial aid. It adds up to about $309 million in financial aid to WSU students in 2024.
And, 68% of our students receive scholarships and/or grants—money that doesn’t have to be repaid—with an average award of $12,107.
Average cost after aid: $18,171
In-state cost by household income
| Household income | Average cost after aid |
|---|---|
| Less than $30,000 | $7,074 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $8,971 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $11,519 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,426 |
| More than $110,001 | $24,726 |
BUT, look at the average financial aid package for incoming students last year: $11,881
Estimate your financial aid eligibility
Use our financial aid estimator tool to find out how much aid you could qualify for.
Will I end up with tens of thousands of dollars in loans then?
Probably not.
- Our students who take loans have an average loan debt of $21,926 at graduation, with a median debt for students of $19,298 (2023-2024).
- That’s a lot less than the national average of $29,374 per student (2023).
- Plus, 56% of graduates in the class of 2023 graduated with zero loan debt.
Well, how do I repay more than $25,000?
WSU grads are successful
As a result, WSU grads are better prepared to pay back their loans.