Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Seattle Pacific University

Starting at $81,199 in first-year earnings positions Seattle Pacific's engineering graduates squarely in the middle of Washington's competitive market, matching the state median and outpacing three-quarters of similar programs nationally. That's solid performance for a school with a 91% admission rate, suggesting the program delivers stronger outcomes than its accessibility might imply.

The estimated $26,000 debt load—derived from national patterns at similar private institutions—creates a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio. If this estimate holds true, graduates would be looking at monthly payments around $290 on a standard 10-year plan, representing roughly 4% of gross income. That's comfortable territory for an engineering salary, though it's worth noting that actual debt levels at Washington engineering programs range from $21,000 to $26,000, so individual outcomes will vary based on financial aid packages and family contribution.

What matters most here is that Seattle Pacific graduates are landing in essentially the same earnings territory as University of Washington and Gonzaga graduates despite coming from a less selective program. For a student who wants a smaller, faith-based environment and can keep actual borrowing near the estimated figure, this program appears to deliver comparable marketplace value to the state's flagship engineering schools.