Location: Seattle, WA•In-State Tuition: $12,643•Out-of-State Tuition: $41,997•Admission Rate: 43%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$49,004
62nd percentile
60th percentile in Washington
Median Debt
$15,000
42% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.31 ManageableSample: 327 graduates

Analysis

The University of Washington's business program stands out for one compelling reason: exceptionally low debt burden. With graduates owing just $15,000 compared to the national average of $26,000, this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping costs down—a remarkable achievement for a flagship state university.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story of growth. Starting salaries of $49,004 jump 38% to $67,626 by year four, outpacing both national and state medians. While UW doesn't crack the top tier of Washington business programs (City University of Seattle leads at nearly $80,000), it performs solidly in the 60th percentile statewide and 62nd percentile nationally for a program offered at over 1,600 schools.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 creates an enviable financial foundation—graduates can realistically pay off their loans quickly while building wealth in their twenties. This combination of moderate selectivity (43% admission rate), strong earning potential, and minimal debt makes UW's business program a smart financial choice, especially for Washington residents paying in-state tuition.

Where University of Washington-Seattle Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business administration, management and operations bachelors's programs nationally

University of Washington-Seattle CampusOther business administration, management and operations programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Washington-Seattle Campus earns $49k — 62th percentile among business administration, management and operations bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Washington-Seattle Campus$49,004$67,626+38%
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education$54,779$71,547+31%
Northwest University$54,779$71,547+31%
Seattle University$46,598$70,134+51%
University of Puget Sound$49,106$70,059+43%

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Business Administration, Management and Operations bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (37 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle$12,643$49,004$67,626$15,0000.31
City University of SeattleSeattle$14,589$79,592$67,095$18,0000.23
Olympic CollegeBremerton$4,197$58,058—$11,3050.19
Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended EducationKirkland$14,652$54,779$71,547$25,0000.46
Northwest UniversityKirkland$36,035$54,779$71,547$25,0000.46
Western Washington UniversityBellingham$9,286$53,402$68,627$17,3750.33
National Median—$45,703—$26,0000.57

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business administration, management and operations 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

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Resources Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

$140,030/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Washington-Seattle Campus, approximately 15% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 327 graduates with reported earnings and 242 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.