Finance and Financial Management Services at Seattle University

Seattle University's finance program delivers solid earnings growth but struggles to compete within Washington state. Starting at $55,823 and climbing to over $70,000 by year four represents impressive 26% growth that outpaces many peer programs. However, that 40th percentile ranking among Washington finance programs tells a more nuanced story—graduates earn less than the state median of $56,385, and significantly trail the University of Washington's $63,500.

The debt picture offers some reassurance: $24,000 is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.43 ratio), though it's notably higher than Washington's typical $18,418 for finance programs. The real question is whether Seattle University's smaller class sizes and urban location justify paying more debt for lower initial earnings compared to state alternatives like Washington State or even UW-Tacoma, which match UW-Seattle's outcomes.

For families considering in-state options, this comes down to fit versus pure financial return. The strong earnings trajectory suggests Seattle U finance grads catch up over time, but they start behind Washington peers. If your student has access to UW or WSU, those offer better value propositions. Seattle University makes sense if the private school environment is worth the premium—just know you're paying for something other than earnings advantage.