Business/Commerce at Seattle University

Seattle University's business program sits squarely in the middle of Washington's competitive landscape, with peer programs suggesting first-year earnings around $54,540—matching the state median and edging above the national figure of $47,500. The estimated $23,250 in debt is below both state and national typical levels, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that should be manageable for most graduates entering business roles.

What complicates the picture is that these figures come from just three comparable programs in Washington, not Seattle University's actual graduate outcomes. Business programs can vary dramatically even within the same state—ranging from Walla Walla's $43,000 to Seattle Pacific's $56,000—so the actual results for Seattle U graduates could differ. The school's moderately selective admissions (76% acceptance rate, 1266 SAT) and lower Pell grant enrollment (22%) suggest it draws students who may have resources to supplement these baseline estimates.

For a bachelor's degree in business, the fundamentals look reasonable if the estimates hold: you're borrowing less than half what your child might earn in year one, and Washington's business job market is robust. The uncertainty here isn't a red flag—it's simply a smaller program with limited data. If your child is comparing offers, look at Seattle U's career services strength and alumni network in Seattle specifically, since those factors could push outcomes above or below what similar programs deliver.