Psychology at Seattle University

Seattle University's psychology program outearns 93% of psychology programs nationwide while keeping debt nearly 25% lower than the national median—a combination that's rare for this field. With first-year graduates earning $37,452 and climbing to $50,776 by year four, these outcomes place the program second among Washington state psychology programs, just behind Seattle Pacific. That 60th percentile state ranking might sound modest, but Washington's psychology programs already perform well above national averages, making this a competitive field.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $19,500, graduates owe $6,000 less than typical psychology majors nationally and $3,000 less than the Washington state median. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates face manageable repayment—roughly half their first year's salary—which becomes easier as earnings grow 36% over four years. For context, psychology programs typically struggle with high debt relative to earnings, so Seattle University's financial structure offers meaningful protection.

For families willing to invest in a private Jesuit education, this program delivers stronger labor market outcomes than the vast majority of psychology programs while avoiding the debt traps common at peer institutions. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests consistent rather than anomalous results. If your student is committed to psychology and values Seattle's professional networks, this represents one of the safer bets in a field known for uncertain financial returns.