Accounting at Seattle University

Seattle University's accounting graduates command impressive starting salaries—$70,570 puts this program in the 95th percentile nationally, well above the typical $53,694. That's the kind of outcome that justifies private school tuition. Within Washington, it ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only Gonzaga among the state's private universities and matching the University of Washington system's outcomes. For a school with a 76% admission rate, these earnings numbers are exceptional.

The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $23,734, graduates carry slightly less than the national median for accounting programs, while earning substantially more. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means students owe just over four months of their first-year salary—a manageable burden that becomes even more reasonable as earnings climb 30% to $91,473 by year four. This growth trajectory suggests the program opens doors to career advancement, not just entry-level positions.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers could shift somewhat year-to-year, but the consistency across both early and mid-career earnings suggests a stable pattern. For parents weighing Seattle University's tuition against public alternatives, the premium appears justified: graduates out-earn the state median immediately and maintain that advantage as their careers progress.