Accounting at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW-Seattle's accounting program hits a sweet spot that's hard to find: strong earnings with minimal debt. Graduates start at $63,000—well above the national median of $54,000—but carry just $17,000 in loans, less than half the typical accounting grad's burden. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means your student could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross salary, giving them financial breathing room most graduates don't have.

Within Washington, this program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings, trailing private schools like Seattle University and Gonzaga but matching the other UW campuses. What matters more for value is the debt side: UW-Seattle students borrow $3,500 less than the state median, likely reflecting in-state tuition advantages at a flagship public university. The 22% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests steady career progression, typical for accounting where experience and CPA certification drive compensation growth.

For families comparing options, this is straightforward: you're getting top-20% national outcomes at a fraction of the typical cost. The private alternatives might edge out UW in starting salary by $6,000-8,000, but they typically come with significantly higher debt loads that would take years to overcome. Unless your student has substantial scholarship offers from those private schools, the flagship delivers better value.