Mechanical Engineering at Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific's mechanical engineering graduates start at $71,039—ranking in the 60th percentile among Washington programs and essentially matching the national median. That might sound unimpressive until you consider the context: this highly accessible program (91% admission rate) produces graduates who out-earn those from Seattle University and UW-Tacoma, placing just behind much larger engineering schools like WSU and Gonzaga. The $26,949 median debt sits in the 26th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of mechanical engineering programs leave students with more debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 translates to roughly one year's salary to pay off loans—a manageable burden that gives graduates financial breathing room. For a small private university without the research infrastructure of major state schools, these outcomes suggest Seattle Pacific delivers solid engineering fundamentals and employer connections without crushing debt loads.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these medians. If your student thrives in smaller programs and values Seattle Pacific's teaching-focused environment, the financial picture looks reasonable. The program won't match the prestige or earning power of UW's main campus, but it offers a legitimate path into mechanical engineering at a price point that makes sense relative to starting salaries.