Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW-Seattle's criminal justice program sits in an awkward middle ground: it beats the national average by about $3,000, but in Washington state, it falls below the median of $41,020—landing at the 40th percentile among the state's 12 programs. That's particularly notable given UW-Seattle's flagship status and 43% admission rate. Graduates start at $40,669 and see solid 22% growth to nearly $50,000 by year four, but Seattle University graduates in the same program start at $51,100—over $10,000 more out of the gate. For families paying flagship tuition, that gap matters.

The bright spot here is debt: at $15,269, it's exceptionally low compared to both the national median ($26,130) and Washington's median ($20,618). This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.38, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within a year of focused repayment. That low debt load provides real flexibility for graduates entering a field where many pursue additional training or take lower-paying public service positions early in their careers.

The core question is whether this program justifies choosing UW-Seattle over higher-earning alternatives within the state. The manageable debt helps, but families should understand they're not getting the earnings premium that typically comes with the UW name—at least not immediately after graduation. If law school or graduate study is the plan, this serves as an affordable stepping stone. But for those heading straight into criminal justice careers, you're paying flagship prices for middle-of-the-pack Washington outcomes.