At $10,017/yr net price, University of Washington-Tacoma 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) | $10,017 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,068 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,466/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$44,466/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.3% |
| 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 | $4,709/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,936/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,900/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,772/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,095/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $127,652 | $58,052 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $122,038 | $36,600 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $99,072 | $40,174 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $95,549 | $33,752 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $88,195 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $72,152 | $12,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $71,575 | $15,127 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,961 | $14,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $67,130 | $20,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $63,997 | $35,140 |
The Risk Factor
62.3% of students at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UW-Tacoma gives you a strong financial return for the money you put in. You pay about $10,000 a year on average, carry a median debt of $14,615, and reach median earnings near $78,500 a decade out. That debt is roughly two months of that income, which is one of the safer borrowing positions you can find at a four-year public school.
Nursing is the clearest payoff here. You graduate with a bachelor's earning around $72,000 while carrying the lowest debt of any listed program, $12,500. Computer and information sciences and electrical engineering land close behind, both above $70,000. If you can get into these three, the math works strongly in your favor. Finance and accounting still pay off, but accounting sits nearly $15,000 a year below nursing at $57,692 for a similar debt load, so the gap between programs is real and worth weighing before you commit.
The risk to watch is completion. With a 62% graduation rate and 78% retention, close to one in four of you leaves after the first year, and dropping out with loans and no degree is the worst outcome. The salary figures assume you finish.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes heavily. Under $30,000, you pay $4,709. between $48,000 and $75,000, $7,900. Above $75,000, price jumps to $16,772, and over $110,000 you pay $22,095. That cliff matters: a family earning $76,000 pays more than double one earning $74,000.
This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing, computing, or engineering, especially at a lower income. If you're paying the top tier for a lower-earning major like accounting, the return is thinner, and you should compare it against cheaper in-state options before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Washington-Tacoma Campus worth the cost?
With a net price of $10,017 per year and median earnings of $78,466 after 10 years, UW-Tacoma offers solid value for most students. The relatively low debt load of $14,615 makes it financially manageable compared to many four-year schools.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
Business Administration ($127,652) and Computer Science ($122,038) provide the strongest ROI at UW-Tacoma. Nursing ($95,549) and Education ($88,195) offer decent returns but lower than the business and tech programs.
How much debt do University of Washington-Tacoma Campus graduates have?
The median debt is $14,615, which is manageable given the school's affordable net price. This low debt burden helps graduates avoid the payment struggles common at more expensive schools.
What is the graduation rate at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
The graduation rate is 62.30%, which is below the national average for four-year schools. This means nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree, creating risk for those who accumulate debt without graduating.