Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

UW Tacoma's electrical and communications engineering program matches the earnings of its flagship Seattle campus while costing students dramatically less in debt—just $15,000 versus the state median of $21,000. With an accessible 83% admission rate and graduates earning $82,000 right out of college, this represents one of the smarter pathways into engineering in Washington.

The financial equation here is unusually favorable. That 0.18 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than two months' salary, placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt burden. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile among Washington engineering schools for earnings, that comparison is misleading—UW Tacoma actually ties for the highest first-year earnings in the state. The 60th percentile ranking reflects the four-year earnings figure of $93,000, which still represents healthy 13% growth and keeps graduates well above the national median.

For families concerned about engineering program costs—particularly those qualifying for Pell grants, who make up 40% of students here—this program delivers flagship-quality outcomes without flagship-level debt. The combination of strong immediate earnings, minimal borrowing, and solid career trajectory makes this an exceptional value in Washington's engineering landscape.