At $13,485/yr net price, University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $78,466/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $44,466/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,485 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,940 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,466/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,466/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,615 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,398/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,601/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,817/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,234/yr |
| $110,001+ | $28,383/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $218,927 | $147,357 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $127,652 | $58,052 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $124,420 | $282,467 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $122,038 | $36,600 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $121,294 | $28,625 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $120,252 | $15,422 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $118,349 | $147,085 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,572 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $113,228 | $130,804 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $106,421 | $47,521 |
The Risk Factor
83.7% of students at University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The University of Washington-Seattle gives you a strong financial return. You leave with a median debt around $14,600 against median earnings near $78,500 a decade out, so your debt is a fraction of a single year's pay. An 83.7% graduation rate and a 94.9% retention rate mean you are likely to finish and finish on time, which is where most college debt disasters start.
The tech pipeline is the clear win here. Computer Engineering and Computer Science graduates clear six figures while carrying about the same $15,000 in debt as the typical student, so the return per borrowed dollar is hard to beat in Seattle's software and hardware job market. Allied Health pays the most of any listed program, but you take on roughly $28,600 in debt to get there, nearly double the CS load. Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations sits at the bottom of the listed programs and still lands above the school median, so even the softer paths here hold up.
Your main risk is family income. If your household earns over $110k, you pay more than four times what lower-income families pay, and the return math tightens fast at that price. Picking a lower-earning major at the full sticker price is where you could come out behind. The other risk is Seattle's cost of living, which eats into those high salaries once you stay in the area.
This school fits you well if you are aiming at computing or health fields, and it fits low- and middle-income families especially well, since anyone under $75k pays under $8,000 a year. If you are a high-income family drawn to a lower-paying major, run the numbers hard before committing, because you are paying near $28,000 a year for an outcome the tech majors reach for far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus worth the cost?
With a net price of $13,485 and median earnings of $78,466 after 10 years, UW-Seattle offers solid value for most students. The low debt burden ($14,615 median) and strong graduation rate (84%) make it a relatively safe investment compared to many universities.
What programs at University of Washington-Seattle Campus have the best ROI?
Dental programs lead with graduates earning over $200,000, followed by business ($127,652) and computer science ($122,038). These programs justify the cost quickly, while other majors may take longer to reach positive returns.
How much debt do University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates typically have?
The median debt is $14,615, which is below the national average. This manageable debt load, combined with decent earning potential, reduces financial risk for most graduates.
Does University of Washington-Seattle Campus provide good financial aid?
The $13,485 net price suggests reasonable aid for in-state students, though out-of-state costs are significantly higher. Financial aid helps make UW-Seattle accessible, but your actual cost depends heavily on residency status and family income.