Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Western Washington University

Western Washington University's engineering program produces graduates earning about $4,000 less than the Washington state median—a meaningful gap when you're trying to launch a career in Seattle or the broader tech corridor. While $77,500 is solid money for a recent graduate, every other major public university in the state posts higher numbers, with UW campuses hitting $82,000. Among Washington's ten engineering programs, WWU lands in the 40th percentile, suggesting you're paying state tuition prices without getting state-typical outcomes.

The debt picture offers some consolation: $25,500 is manageable with engineering salaries, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 that allows for comfortable repayment. That's actually slightly higher than Washington's median debt for this major ($21,000), but it's still well within reasonable bounds. The real question is whether the admission accessibility—91% acceptance rate—comes with a tradeoff in career network and recruiting reach that explains the earnings gap.

For families specifically targeting Washington's engineering employers, this creates a dilemma. Your child will graduate with legitimate credentials and manageable debt, but they'll likely start $4,000-$5,000 behind peers from UW or Gonzaga. If direct admission to a higher-ranked program is possible, the earnings premium covers the difference quickly. If not, WWU offers a viable backup path into engineering, just not a standout value within the state.