Computer Science at Bellevue College

A computer science degree from Bellevue College launches graduates into the workforce at $73,214—above the national median but trailing most Washington competitors. While debt estimates based on comparable programs in Washington suggest around $17,800, that's notably lower than what students typically borrow for CS degrees both statewide ($22,453) and nationally ($23,374). This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning the debt load could theoretically be paid off in under three months of gross earnings.

The earnings gap with Washington's top programs is substantial. UW's campuses produce graduates earning nearly $130,000, and even regional competitors like Seattle Pacific and Washington State see graduates start around $80,000. Bellevue College's outcomes sit closer to the national baseline than the state average, which in a high-earning tech hub like greater Seattle may limit career momentum. That said, the program appears to deliver solid national competitiveness without the debt burden that often accompanies bachelor's degrees at larger institutions.

For families weighing this option, the lean debt profile makes this a lower-risk investment than most CS programs, but the earnings trajectory suggests graduates may need to be more strategic about their first jobs to catch up with peers from more established programs. The value proposition depends heavily on whether that initial earnings gap narrows over time—data we don't have yet.