Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Seattle University

Seattle University's writing program graduates earn roughly $4,000 more than the state median for this degree, placing it in the 60th percentile among Washington programs—a modest but meaningful edge over larger state universities like Western Washington and Central Washington. With first-year earnings of $32,663 and debt of $24,500, graduates face a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio, slightly better than the national median debt load for writing majors.

The challenge here is less about the numbers and more about the sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates means these figures could swing significantly year to year. That said, the earnings advantage over both state and national medians suggests Seattle University's urban location and professional networks may offer tangible benefits for writing graduates entering the job market. The relatively moderate debt—below both national and state medians—also indicates the program doesn't require excessive borrowing despite the private school price tag.

For parents considering this investment, the program appears to deliver slightly above-average outcomes for a writing degree, but the small cohort size means you're betting on limited data. If your student is committed to a writing career and values smaller classes and Seattle's job market access, the debt burden won't be crushing. Just recognize that writing degrees typically lead to modest early earnings regardless of school, and this program follows that pattern despite its competitive positioning within the field.