Computer Science at Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University's Computer Science graduates earn $82,557 in their first year—well above the national median for CS programs and just slightly above the state average. The real story here is the price: at under $19,000 in median debt, graduates pay roughly a quarter of what they'd accumulate at many competitors. This translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings. While SPU's CS program ranks at the 60th percentile among Washington's 15 programs, you're paying dramatically less for that outcome than at most alternatives.

The context matters here. Yes, UW's CS grads earn $128,000+ right out of school, but SPU's open admission policy (91% acceptance rate) makes this accessible to students who might not get into more selective programs. For a family weighing options, the trade-off is clear: roughly $45,000 less in first-year earnings compared to UW, but likely far less debt and easier admission. Seattle University's grads earn just $3,000 more while typically carrying more debt.

For parents concerned about tech sector layoffs or economic uncertainty, SPU's low debt burden provides meaningful downside protection. Even if your child takes longer to land that first job or faces an unexpected career pivot, they won't be crushed by loan payments.