At $35,049/yr net price, City University of Seattle graduates earn $69,460/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,460/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,049 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $140,196 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,460/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,460/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 16.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $35,049/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $107,256 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,200 | $46,125 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $57,995 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $57,017 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $56,851 | $37,807 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $56,157 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $23,209 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $44,356 | $49,878 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $43,240 |
The Risk Factor
16.7% of students at City University of Seattle graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
City University of Seattle asks $35,049 a year net, and that price doesn't drop for lower-income families. The $30-48k income tier pays the same $35,049 as everyone else, which means if your family earns under $50k, you're carrying a cost that eats most or all of a working household's annual income. That is the central financial risk here: the sticker doesn't bend to what you can afford.
The graduation rate is the number to stare at. At 16.7%, five out of six students who enroll don't finish. If you borrow and leave without the degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that justified it. That's the worst outcome, and here it's the most likely one.
The bachelor's programs that do pay show a clear split. Business Administration graduates earn about $50,856 against roughly $23,209 in debt, which is a manageable ratio and the strongest bet on this campus. Education and teacher-prep degrees land closer to $42,000-$43,000, and those are entry teaching salaries in a Seattle market where cost of living is high. You can service the debt on a teacher's pay, but there's little cushion.
Median debt of $25,000 is not extreme by itself. The problem is pairing that debt with a 16.7% chance of finishing and a net price that ignores income.
This school fits you if you're targeting the business degree specifically, are confident you'll finish, and can cover a large share of the cost without borrowing to the ceiling. If you're low-income, price-sensitive, or unsure about completing, the flat net price and the completion odds make this a hard place to justify. Look for schools that discount for your income and graduate more of the students they enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City University of Seattle worth the cost?
City University of Seattle's $35,049 annual net price leads to median earnings of $69,460 after 10 years, which creates a challenging return on investment. The extremely low 16.7% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at City University of Seattle?
Educational Administration programs at City University of Seattle offer the strongest earnings potential, with graduates earning $94,000-$107,000 annually. Business programs pay around $74,200, while education specialties like Special Education average $58,000.
How much debt do City University of Seattle graduates have?
City University of Seattle graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to the school's high net price. However, this figure only reflects students who actually graduate, not the 83% who don't finish.
Does City University of Seattle have good graduation rates?
City University of Seattle has a 16.7% graduation rate, meaning fewer than 1 in 5 students complete their degree. This presents significant financial risk for students who pay tuition but don't graduate.