Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

UW-Tacoma's Liberal Arts program delivers something increasingly rare: genuinely affordable debt coupled with solid earnings momentum. At just $16,323, graduates carry nearly 40% less debt than the state median and less than a third of the national average. That first-year salary of $30,437 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about seven months of gross earnings. That's exceptional accessibility for a four-year degree.

The trajectory matters here more than the starting point. While first-year earnings sit below both state and national medians, the 26% jump to $38,481 by year four suggests graduates are gaining traction in the job market. Among Washington's 20 programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack but climbing. The school serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), so these outcomes reflect graduates who often work while studying and may need time to transition into full-time career positions.

For families weighing cost against opportunity, this program makes financial sense: minimal debt burden, reasonable earnings growth, and the broad skillset that liberal arts degrees provide. The key is understanding that career development may be gradual rather than immediate, but you're not saddling your child with crushing debt while they figure that out.