Education at University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound's education graduates earn just $20,039 one year after graduation—less than half what education majors typically earn nationwide ($38,660) and less than half the Washington state median ($44,201). Among Washington's 16 education programs, this ranks in the 10th percentile, trailing far behind all three University of Washington campuses where graduates earn $44,201. These earnings barely exceed minimum wage in Washington state, making the $27,000 in typical debt extremely difficult to service.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.35 means graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary—a concerning position for entry-level teachers who face structured pay scales. While the debt load itself is close to the national median for education programs, it's nearly double Washington's state median of $15,729. For context, UW education graduates carry less debt and earn twice as much immediately.

This data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances may vary considerably. However, prospective education majors should recognize that Washington's public universities offer substantially better outcomes at lower cost. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to choose Puget Sound, the financial math strongly favors in-state public alternatives for future teachers starting on standardized salary schedules.