Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Seattle University

The small sample size here demands caution, but Seattle University's health and fitness program shows one clear strength: graduates carry significantly less debt than their peers. At $17,494, that's about $8,000 below the state median and nearly $4,000 less than what students at nearby Pacific Lutheran face. The first-year earnings of $31,627 land slightly above both state and national medians, putting this program around the 60th percentile among Washington schools—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a state where Central Washington leads at $35,268.

The real question is whether those modest earnings justify a private school price tag, even with the relatively controlled debt load. A 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans within a year of full-time work. However, this field typically requires additional credentials for career advancement, and $31,627 leaves little financial cushion for pursuing those next steps. The program falls between Washington State's median outcome and Seattle Pacific's concerning $25,625 figure.

For families weighing this option, the lower debt matters more than the incremental earnings bump over public alternatives. If your student is set on Seattle U for fit or location reasons, this program won't bury them in loans. But if return on investment drives the decision, Central Washington delivers $3,600 more in starting salary—money that compounds quickly in a field where early earnings often plateau.