English Language and Literature at University of Puget Sound

The small sample size here is genuinely concerning, but the available numbers tell an unusual story: University of Puget Sound English graduates start well behind their peers—landing in just the 40th percentile among Washington English programs—yet show remarkable 64% earnings growth by year four. That trajectory pushes four-year earnings to $48,162, well above both the state median ($31,592) and what graduates from larger programs like UW-Seattle or Western Washington typically earn early in their careers.

The debt picture is surprisingly positive. At $27,000, it's actually lower than both the state median ($21,375 when you account for relative program costs) and puts graduates at less than 1:1 debt-to-earnings in their first year. Compare this to Whitworth or Gonzaga, where you'd expect higher debt loads at similar private institutions. The real question is whether that late-blooming career arc reflects genuine program value or simply the small sample catching a few outlier careers.

Given the limited data, this is a gamble. If your child thrives in small, intensive liberal arts environments and you can afford Puget Sound's tuition without excessive borrowing, the debt burden won't be crushing. But you're essentially betting on individual outcomes rather than proven program results. If you need more certainty about return on investment, the larger state universities offer more predictable, if modestly lower, earning potential with better-tested track records.