Accounting at University of Washington-Bothell Campus

UW-Bothell's accounting program ranks in the 82nd percentile nationally for graduate earnings while costing students roughly $8,000 less in debt than the typical accounting program. That $62,731 starting salary beats the national median by $9,000 and edges slightly above the Washington state median. The 60th percentile placement among Washington accounting programs is actually more impressive than it sounds—graduates earn essentially the same as those from UW-Seattle and UW-Tacoma, despite Bothell's 92% acceptance rate suggesting less selective admissions. With a debt load of just $17,083, this program delivers the 5th-lowest debt burden among 1,199 accounting programs nationwide.

The financial fundamentals are rock-solid: a 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months' salary, and 22% earnings growth over four years shows clear career progression. While the private universities at the top of Washington's rankings (Seattle U and Gonzaga) offer slightly higher starting salaries around $70,000, they typically come with significantly steeper tuition bills. For families seeking an accessible public option with strong earning potential and minimal debt burden, this is exactly what a smart investment looks like—similar outcomes to Washington's flagship campus at a fraction of the typical cost.