Computer Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW Seattle's Computer Engineering graduates command exceptional starting salaries—$141,588 in year one, nearly double the national median and matching the top-performing program in Washington state. With debt averaging just $16,127, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.11, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six weeks. Earnings growth remains strong, climbing to nearly $169,000 by year four. For in-state students especially, this represents an extraordinary value proposition.

The state percentile (60th) might seem modest given these figures, but it's misleading: Washington has only eight computer engineering programs, and UW Seattle ties for the highest starting salary among them. The comparison group includes highly selective tech-focused schools in a state where the software industry drives exceptional compensation across the board. Against the national pool of 356 programs, this program sits in the 95th percentile—that's the more relevant benchmark for most families.

The main caveat here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, a few exceptionally high earners at companies like Amazon or Microsoft (both headquartered in Seattle) could skew these numbers upward. That said, UW Seattle's strong reputation in tech and its pipeline to local industry giants makes these outcomes credible, even if not every graduate will match them. For students who can handle the rigorous coursework and gain admission, this program offers about as strong a financial foundation as you'll find in engineering.