Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

The University of Washington's Communication Disorders program shows promising mid-career returns, but the path there requires patience. Graduates start at $25,791—barely above the poverty line—yet four years later they're earning $56,581, a remarkable 119% jump that suggests many secure speech-language pathology assistant roles or continue to graduate school and enter the profession. This trajectory is typical for the field, where bachelor's-level positions are limited and many students pursue master's degrees to become licensed SLPs.

At $18,000 in debt, UW students borrow significantly less than the national median of $22,362 for this program, making the challenging first year more manageable. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Washington's four Communication Disorders programs—middle of the pack, with Washington State's graduates earning about $1,700 more initially. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a handful of students' choices could skew these numbers considerably.

For families considering this major, understand it's often a stepping stone: the bachelor's degree opens doors to entry-level positions but most career speech-language pathologists need a master's degree. The relatively modest debt gives your student flexibility for graduate school, and UW's strong reputation in health sciences could strengthen future applications. Just budget carefully for that difficult first year when earnings will be tight.