Mathematics at Seattle Pacific University

Washington's mathematics bachelor's programs show significant variation, with first-year earnings ranging from under $38,000 at some schools to nearly $58,000 at Seattle University. Based on peer programs in the state, Seattle Pacific's mathematics graduates likely earn around $46,600 in their first year—solidly in the middle of this range and close to the national median of $48,800. With estimated debt of about $22,600, the financial picture appears manageable, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5.

What complicates this assessment is that both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from similar programs, since Seattle Pacific's actual mathematics graduate cohorts were too small for the Department of Education to report. The earnings estimate comes from six comparable programs in Washington, while the debt estimate reflects four similar institutions. This makes it difficult to know whether Seattle Pacific's particular combination of smaller class sizes and Christian university focus translates into outcomes above or below these state averages.

The estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial viability—debt roughly equal to half a year's salary is workable for most graduates. But without knowing this program's actual track record, you're essentially betting that it performs at least as well as the typical Washington mathematics program. If your student is choosing Seattle Pacific for specific reasons beyond pure earnings potential, these estimates don't raise red flags. If maximizing early career earnings is the priority, programs with reported outcomes in the $52,000-$58,000 range offer more certainty.