Economics at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW Seattle's economics program hits a sweet spot that's rare to find: strong earning potential with remarkably light debt. Graduates carry just $14,166 in loans—less than half the national average for economics majors—while earning above-median salaries from day one. Among Washington state's economics programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, trailing only Whitworth and Central Washington, but it does so with dramatically lower debt than most competitors.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story. Starting at $53,934, graduates see their income jump 37% to $74,130 by year four—a growth pattern that reflects how economics skills compound in value as graduates move beyond entry-level roles. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means typical borrowers could realistically pay off their loans within a year or two of graduating, freeing up income for savings and other goals far earlier than peers at other schools.

For families weighing UW's economics program against private alternatives like Puget Sound or Whitman, the numbers make a clear case: you're getting comparable or better career outcomes at a fraction of the debt cost. The moderate sample size does mean individual outcomes may vary, but the fundamentals here—low debt, solid starting salaries, and strong growth—align well with what anxious parents should prioritize.