Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

A bachelor's in mechanical engineering with roughly $18,000 in debt (based on typical borrowing at this campus) puts graduates in a relatively manageable position—that's less than a third of first-year earnings and well below what students at other Washington engineering programs typically owe. However, the earnings picture requires closer examination.

At $66,947 one year out, UW-Tacoma graduates earn noticeably less than peers at Washington State ($72,690) or Seattle Pacific ($71,039), and fall short of the state median by about $900. Nationally, the gap is larger—about $3,800 below the typical mechanical engineering graduate. For context, the top quarter of mechanical engineering programs nationally produce $74,627 in first-year earnings, suggesting this program sits in the bottom half for graduate outcomes. The lower debt helps offset this somewhat, but you're still looking at roughly $6,000 less annually compared to Washington's stronger programs.

The value proposition here hinges on whether the accessibility (83% admission rate, 40% Pell-eligible students) and lower debt justify earning 8-11% less than graduates from comparable programs in the state. For students who need the geographic flexibility or might not gain admission elsewhere, UW-Tacoma provides a manageable debt load, but families should recognize they're likely trading some earning potential for that accessibility.