Nutrition Sciences at Bastyr University

Bastyr University's nutrition sciences bachelor's produces starting salaries around $29,000—about $1,500 below Washington's median for the program and $2,300 below the national average. More concerning is the negative trajectory: earnings actually drop to $27,425 by year four, a pattern that suggests graduates may struggle to find positions that leverage their degree. For context, Seattle Pacific University's nutrition graduates earn $39,000 right out of the gate, over 35% more.

The debt load of $23,225 looks manageable at first glance, but paired with these low earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.80—meaning graduates owe nearly 80% of their first-year salary. That's workable, but only if earnings climb over time. With earnings instead declining, graduates face an extended repayment period. The program serves a meaningful proportion of Pell-eligible students (38%), but these modest outcomes mean even moderate debt could become burdensome.

The small sample size here is critical—we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could swing significantly with a different cohort. If your child is considering this program, the key question is whether Bastyr's specialized approach (they're known for natural health) opens doors that justify the below-average starting pay. Otherwise, Central Washington offers similar earnings at a likely lower total cost.