Computer Engineering at Pacific Lutheran University

Computer engineering graduates in Washington command exceptional salaries, and while PLU's specific outcomes aren't reported, peer programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $122,000—roughly 54% above the national median. At an estimated $26,000 in debt, that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21, meaning graduates would owe roughly one-fifth of their first-year salary. For context, Washington's computer engineering programs consistently outperform the national average, though there's considerable range: UW Seattle grads start around $142,000 while WSU grads begin closer to $87,000.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates derived from other schools' outcomes. PLU's smaller engineering cohort means the Department of Education suppresses the actual data, so we can't know whether PLU's graduates specifically hit these state-typical marks or land closer to the lower end of the Washington range. The school's 81% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest it's less selective than University of Washington, which might correlate with different employer recruitment patterns or networking advantages.

If your child is choosing PLU specifically for fit—perhaps the smaller Lutheran university environment or location preferences—the field itself offers strong financial prospects that can justify moderate debt. But if you're deciding purely on career outcomes, recognize you're betting on estimates rather than PLU's proven track record in this major. The fundamentals look solid, but you're investing with less visibility than you'd have at schools with reported data.