Marketing at Seattle University

Seattle University's marketing program starts below the state average but compensates with exceptional earnings growth—graduates see their salaries jump 47% between years one and four, eventually reaching $66,000. That $44,714 starting salary trails most Washington public universities, including the UW system's $51,530 median, placing this program in just the 40th percentile statewide. However, the four-year trajectory suggests graduates are landing roles with genuine advancement potential rather than hitting an early ceiling.

The debt picture is mixed. At $20,750, it's about $2,000 more than typical for Washington marketing programs, though this sits in the 78th percentile nationally—meaning most marketing majors nationwide carry even heavier loads. The 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, with graduates owing less than half their first-year salary. For context, Seattle University is a selective private institution (average SAT: 1266) where only 22% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting families are often paying full or near-full tuition.

The bottom line: This program works if you're comfortable with a slower start in exchange for strong mid-career momentum. Students seeking immediate post-graduation earnings would fare better at a UW campus. But if the private school environment matters and your family can handle the slightly higher debt load, those year-four earnings show the investment eventually pays dividends.