Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

University of Washington-Tacoma's legal studies program stands out for what happens after that modest first-year salary. While graduates start at $39,558—barely above the national median—their earnings jump nearly 50% to $58,906 by year four. That's an unusual trajectory for this field, where most programs show far more tepid growth. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Washington's three legal studies programs, though comparing against just two other schools provides limited context.

The debt picture here is genuinely strong: $17,383 is well below both the national median ($25,750) and matches the state median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—manageable even during that slower-earning first year. The 83% admission rate and high Pell grant enrollment (40%) suggest this is an accessible pathway for first-generation and lower-income students who might otherwise struggle to enter legal adjacent careers.

The risk is that first year at under $40,000. Graduates need runway—either family support or careful budgeting—to make it through before earnings accelerate. But for families willing to plan for a two-year investment period rather than expecting immediate returns, this program offers something valuable: a relatively affordable entry point into legal support roles that actually grow into middle-class wages. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the overall pattern favors patience.