Est. Earnings (1yr)
$53,219
Est. from national median (81 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,000
Est. from national median (18 programs)

Analysis

When the Department of Education suppresses both earnings and debt data due to small graduate samples, we're left estimating from national peer programs—and those estimates suggest something intriguing at Seattle University. Based on similar Business/Managerial Economics bachelor's programs nationwide, first-year earnings likely land around $53,200 with debt near $24,000. That's a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, and the program appears to deliver steady income growth: reported fourth-year earnings jump to $100,895, nearly doubling from that estimated starting point.

The challenge here is understanding what drives Seattle University's specific outcomes. The school's 76% admission rate and solid SAT average suggest it serves a broad student population, while only 22% receive Pell grants—meaning most families aren't qualifying for federal need-based aid. Business economics programs vary enormously in their industry connections and job placement networks, and Seattle's tech-heavy economy could either amplify or complicate career prospects depending on how the curriculum aligns with local employer needs.

Your call hinges on factors these estimates can't capture: whether this program connects students to Seattle's competitive job market, how its curriculum differs from generic business degrees, and whether your family can afford $24,000 in debt while waiting for earnings growth. The fourth-year salary suggests graduates who stay the course find success, but you'll need to dig into career services, internship pipelines, and alumni outcomes to determine if Seattle University specifically delivers that trajectory—or if you're betting on national averages playing out locally.

Where Seattle University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Seattle University—$100,895—
Villanova University$82,212$122,309+49%
Lehigh University$81,796$101,741+24%
Brigham Young University$75,227$97,349+29%
University of California-Los Angeles$83,604$92,873+11%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Seattle UniversitySeattle$54,285$53,219*$100,895$24,000*—
Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis$62,982$106,701*——*—
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles$13,747$83,604*$92,873$17,332*0.21
Villanova UniversityVillanova$64,701$82,212*$122,309$27,000*0.33
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$81,796*$101,741$23,240*0.28
Brigham Young UniversityProvo$6,496$75,227*$97,349—*—
National Median—$53,219*—$22,250*0.42
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Seattle University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.