Cost & ROI · 2026
Is DigiPen Institute of Technology worth it?
Pay $44,446/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $79,878 ten years out — about 1.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
DigiPen Institute of Technology vs Washington avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Washington college and the typical US college.
| Metric | DigiPen Institute of Technology | Washington avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $44,446 | $16,113 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $79,878 | $53,650 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $27,000 | $16,190 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 61% | 47.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 64.4% | 78.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $222,352 over four years. Most students get $11,142/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $27,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 34% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median DigiPen Institute of Technology grad earns about $1,395,120 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about DigiPen Institute of Technology
The average student at DigiPen Institute of Technology pays $44,446 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $55,588 published sticker price. That is above the WA average net price of $16,113.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $79,878 — above the WA median of $53,650. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $27,000, roughly $293 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 34% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Washington colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of DigiPen Institute of Technology.
Tacoma, WA · Public University of Washington-Tacoma Campus A+ 
Bothell, WA · Public University of Washington-Bothell Campus A Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at DigiPen Institute of Technology?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $44,446 per year. That's $11,142/yr in financial aid against the $55,588 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $177,784.
How much do DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn a median of $79,878 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 1.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $27,000 — about $293/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 42.5% of students take federal loans.
Is DigiPen Institute of Technology worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns DigiPen Institute of Technology a value grade of D — top 87% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $44,446/yr, earn $79,878/yr ten years out, ROI score of 4.49. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at DigiPen Institute of Technology?
22.5% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 42.5% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,142 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at DigiPen Institute of Technology?
In-state tuition is $38,950 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $38,950 per year — a difference of $0/yr or $0 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at DigiPen Institute of Technology?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $28,354. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $52,617. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →