University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, Washington · Public · 39.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
With an ROI score of 94 and Exceptional Value rating, the University of Washington-Seattle ranks among the top public universities in the country on financial returns. Graduates earn a median $50,300 six years out, climbing to $78,466 at ten years - driven heavily by the region's tech industry concentration. At 31,942 students, it's a large research flagship anchored in one of the country's most economically dynamic metro areas. The 85.2% completion rate is well above the national average for public universities. Computer and Information Sciences and Computer Science are the dominant high-volume programs, with the CS program graduating 495 students per year and producing median 4-year earnings over $175,000. Engineering disciplines across the board show debt-to-earnings ratios under 0.3 - meaning grads typically pay off debt in under three years. In-state students at the lowest income level pay just $6,384 per year in net price. The one caveat: this school does not report SAT/ACT admissions data publicly, and with a 39% admissions rate, it's moderately selective among publics.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus scores in the top 10% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,973/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $43,209/yr |
| Average net price | $14,091/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $56,364 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $78,466 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $50,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,615 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $155 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 85.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 31,942 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Washington-Seattle Campus is $12,973/year ($43,209/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,091/year, or roughly $56,364 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $6,384/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,019/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,615 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $155 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $78,466 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,384 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,039 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,110 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,328 |
| $110,001+ | $30,019 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $6,384 per year - roughly $25,500 for four years. With median debt of $14,615 and 6-year earnings of $50,300, this is an extraordinarily strong deal for low-income students in Washington State. The payback period of 4.5 years means the degree pays for itself faster than nearly any other public university. The investment is particularly sound for students entering tech or nursing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48k bracket pays $7,039 and the 48-75k bracket pays $8,110 - a gentle slope with cost still well below the national average net price. The 75-110k bracket jumps to $14,328, where cost starts to feel more like a real financial commitment. But even there, the earnings premium at UW is strong enough to make the math work for most majors. Middle-income families should prioritize staying in-state if at all possible.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $30,019 per year in net price, and out-of-state students pay $43,209 in tuition. For high earners paying near or at full price, the ROI still pencils - especially in tech and engineering - but families should compare against in-state options at comparable schools. The 0.291 debt-to-earnings ratio and 4.5-year payback period remain favorable even at full cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Washington-Seattle Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $114,798 | A |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $57,718 | C+ |
| Computer Science | $175,616 | A |
| International Relations | $72,487 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $97,452 | A |
| Public Health | $63,666 | B |
| Economics | $87,239 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $64,153 | B |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $58,818 | B |
| Electrical Engineering | $116,010 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
The highest-volume CS-adjacent program at UW, with 622 graduates annually. Median earnings hit $73,385 one year out and $114,798 at four years, fueled by proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, and hundreds of Seattle tech firms that recruit heavily from UW. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.222 is excellent - grads graduate with median debt of $16,277 and clear it quickly. The ROI grade is A. This program functions as a pipeline to software engineering and data roles at scale, with enough graduates to suggest employers actively target it.
Computer Science
495 graduates per year with median earnings of $128,887 at year one - among the highest first-year figures for any non-professional program in the country. Four-year earnings rise to $175,616. Debt sits at $16,118 with a 0.125 debt-to-earnings ratio. ROI grade: A. UW CS is one of the most recognized programs nationally for tech industry placements. The combination of a research-heavy faculty, proximity to major tech employers, and a selective program within a large university makes this a standout outcome for any CS student who can gain admission.
Finance and Financial Management
304 graduates, median 1-year earnings of $63,500 and $97,452 at four years. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.224, ROI grade A. Finance grads from UW benefit from Seattle's growing financial services sector and access to the Foster School of Business recruiting network. The pay trajectory from year 1 to year 4 suggests strong upward mobility in financial analyst and banking roles. Students who complete this program in UW's Foster School typically enter regional banking, tech finance functions, or financial advisory firms.
Registered Nursing
143 graduates with 1-year median earnings of $86,212 - reflecting Washington State's relatively high nursing wages. Four-year earnings hit $98,632. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.217 earns an A grade, and with just $18,750 in median debt, nursing grads here have one of the best debt-load profiles in the state. Hospital systems in King County and surrounding areas consistently absorb UW nursing graduates, with union-scale wages common in Seattle-area healthcare.
Economics
287 graduates, 1-year earnings of $53,934 rising to $87,239 at four years. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.263, ROI grade B+. Economics at UW leads to consulting, policy analysis, technology economics roles, and finance positions. The four-year earnings trajectory reflects substantial career progression, as early-career economists often enter at lower initial pay then move into higher-earning analytics or finance tracks. The debt load of $14,166 is moderate and manageable.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 39.1% |
| Enrollment | 31,942 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 14.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $15,198 |
UW-Seattle admits about 39% of applicants, placing it in the moderately selective tier for public flagships. The school does not publish SAT or ACT band data. Competitive applicants typically bring strong GPAs and AP/IB course loads. Out-of-state students face a higher bar and significantly higher costs ($43,209 in-state tuition versus $12,973).
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Against its core peers, UW-Seattle leads the group on earnings and ROI. Central Washington University earns $38,900 at six years versus UW's $50,300, with UW completing 85% of students versus CWU's 54%. Eastern Washington University similarly trails on both metrics. UC Davis (ROI 95) and University of Maryland (ROI 90) are the closest comparables nationally - UW matches Davis on completion rate and edges it on earnings. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a higher ROI score (92) with similar earnings, but UW's lower debt load ($14,615 vs. national peer median around $20,000) keeps it competitive. UW stands out as the clear value leader among Washington state options.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus (this school) | 94 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| University of California-Davis | 95 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | 94 | $15,678 | $82,860 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| Central Washington University | 68 | $18,476 | $61,580 |
| Eastern Washington University | 66 | $13,886 | $57,897 |
Who Thrives Here
Best fit for academically prepared students targeting tech, engineering, nursing, or finance careers in the Pacific Northwest. The 39% admit rate signals real selectivity. Students comfortable with a large research environment thrive here; the campus culture rewards self-direction. With only 14.9% Pell Grant recipients, the student body skews less economically diverse than many peers, but low-income aid is strong for those who qualify. Pre-med, pre-law, and business students also find strong alumni networks and internship pipelines to Seattle's corporate base.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Washington-Seattle Campus is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $56,364 and median graduate earnings of $78,466 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.5 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 85.2% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $14,615 is very manageable against $78,466 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.