Est. Earnings (1yr)
$59,490
Est. from WA median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,581
Est. from national median (28 programs)

Analysis

At $26,581 in estimated debt, University of Puget Sound's MIS program carries a higher borrowing burden than typical for this major—about $4,500 above the national median and $4,000 more than other Washington schools. Meanwhile, first-year earnings based on comparable Washington programs hover around $59,490, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. That's manageable but not impressive, especially when you consider this private university's tuition premium isn't translating into notably higher outcomes than public alternatives.

The challenge here is the lack of visibility. With no reported data from Puget Sound's actual graduates, you're essentially betting on whether a selective liberal arts environment justifies the extra cost compared to Western Washington or Washington State, where graduates with similar credentials are earning in the same range or better. The MIS field typically rewards technical skills and internship networks more than institutional prestige, which raises questions about whether this program delivers enough competitive advantage.

If your child is drawn to Puget Sound's smaller class sizes and liberal arts approach, ask the admissions office directly about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and whether graduates are landing roles at Seattle's major tech employers. Without school-specific outcomes data, you need those concrete placement details to justify the investment over less expensive state options with proven track records.

Where University of Puget Sound Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management information systems and services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Management Information Systems and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (6 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Puget SoundTacoma$59,900$59,490*$26,581*
Western Washington UniversityBellingham$9,286$61,668*$83,219$22,333*0.36
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$59,490*$71,717$23,500*0.40
Eastern Washington UniversityCheney$8,353$41,331*$62,063$19,802*0.48
National Median$59,490*$24,000*0.40
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management information systems and services graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Puget Sound, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.