Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at University of Puget Sound

The small sample size here requires caution, but the pattern is troubling: University of Puget Sound writing graduates earn just $22,251 in their first year—about $6,500 below Washington's state median and $7,400 less than nearby University of Washington graduates with the same degree. This places the program in the bottom quarter statewide, despite Puget Sound's selective profile (average SAT of 1332). While the debt load of $27,000 isn't catastrophic, it still exceeds first-year earnings, creating immediate financial strain that most Washington writing programs avoid.

The disconnect between institutional prestige and outcomes deserves attention. Seattle University and UW graduates in this field earn 47-50% more in year one, suggesting either stronger alumni networks or different career preparation. Given Puget Sound's limited Pell enrollment (17%), most families here aren't qualifying for maximum aid, meaning they're likely paying substantial out-of-pocket costs for below-average results in a field where earnings already start modest.

For parents considering this investment, the math is straightforward: their child would start nearly $5,000 behind state peers in an already challenging financial position. Unless Puget Sound offers specific faculty mentorship or curriculum advantages that justify the gap—and families should demand evidence of those—Washington State or Western Washington University deliver comparable or better outcomes at significantly lower cost. The few data points we have suggest looking elsewhere.