Data Processing at Bellevue College

Bellevue College's Data Processing program delivers first-year earnings of $81,892—nearly double the national median of $44,431 and well above even the 75th percentile nationally. The debt picture is equally impressive: graduates leave with just $13,502 in loans, about 40% less than the national median. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16, meaning graduates owe roughly two months' salary. For a bachelor's degree in tech-adjacent Seattle, that's exceptional leverage.

The state percentile ranking (60th) might seem modest, but context matters: Bellevue College is the only school in Washington reporting data for this specific bachelor's program. That 60th percentile likely reflects comparison with related computing programs across the state's tech-heavy market. What's more telling is that graduates immediately earn enough to comfortably service their debt while living in one of the country's most expensive metros.

For families worried about college ROI, this program offers a rare combination: strong immediate earnings, minimal debt burden, and location in a tech hub with abundant employment opportunities. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests steady but not massive enrollment, which may actually help maintain program quality and job placement rates.