Applied Mathematics at Seattle Pacific University

What stands out about applied mathematics programs in Washington is the dramatic range in outcomes—while Seattle Pacific's peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $60,930, the only Washington program with reported data shows earnings of just $27,626. This massive gap raises questions about whether the national comparison is truly representative, given that the sole confirmed data point from a similar institution in the same state tells a very different story.

The estimated debt of $25,421 appears manageable against the national earnings figure (a 0.42 ratio), but looks far more problematic if outcomes skew toward what we see reported from Washington State University. Similar applied math programs nationally carry a median debt of $21,393, putting Seattle Pacific's estimate slightly above average. For a school with a 91% admission rate, the key question is whether its graduates actually access the higher-paying positions that drive the national median, or whether they face a more constrained regional market.

The core challenge here is uncertainty: you're working with estimates derived from peer institutions that may not reflect Seattle Pacific's specific outcomes or the Seattle job market. If the program delivers on the national benchmark, the investment looks solid. If it performs closer to what we see elsewhere in Washington, you're looking at debt that exceeds annual earnings. Before committing, try to connect with recent graduates directly to understand where they actually landed and at what salary.