Economics at Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University's economics graduates start significantly behind the curve, earning $41,502 in their first year—well below both the national median ($51,722) and Washington state median ($45,401). This places the program in just the 14th percentile nationally, and among Washington's 12 economics programs, it ranks only at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Whitworth ($63,134) and even regional options like Central Washington ($52,129) by substantial margins.

The trajectory does improve dramatically: earnings jump 54% to reach $64,078 by year four, eventually surpassing state and national benchmarks. Combined with relatively modest debt of $26,835—lower than most peers—this creates a manageable initial burden with a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. However, parents need to understand what that first year means practically: your graduate will likely be earning roughly $20,000 less than peers from stronger programs, and even after the earnings rebound, they're only catching up to where others started.

For families considering Seattle Pacific at full cost, this is a tough sell. The 91% admission rate and modest academic profile suggest this isn't a highly selective program drawing top employers. Unless your student has significant financial aid reducing that debt load, Washington offers several stronger alternatives at similar or lower price points. The eventual earnings are decent, but starting this far behind matters more than the school's marketing materials will admit.