Seattle, WA · Private University
Is University of Washington Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$78,466
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,643
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$41,997
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$167,988
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.87x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,615
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,485
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $33,466 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranked by graduate earnings
24 graduates
312 graduates
74 graduates
569 graduates
53 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Washington-Seattle Campus
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Washington-Seattle Campus, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $168,957) and the lowest (Film/Video and Photographic Arts: $28,561) is $140,396/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $168,957 | 4.0x |
| Computer Science | $144,297 | 3.4x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $143,937 | 3.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $102,611 | 2.4x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | $98,992 | 2.4x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $95,111 | 2.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $94,385 | 2.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $92,752 | 2.2x |
| Industrial Engineering | $88,806 | 2.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,137 | 2.1x |
| Materials Engineering | $86,838 | 2.1x |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering | $85,139 | 2.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,469 | 2.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $84,010 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $82,149 | 2.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $81,439 | 1.9x |
| Social Sciences, General | $79,100 | 1.9x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $79,087 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $77,395 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $76,793 | 1.8x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $74,813 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $74,130 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $71,597 | 1.7x |
| Physics | $68,071 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $67,757 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,626 | 1.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $64,696 | 1.5x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $64,344 | 1.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $63,245 | 1.5x |
| Architecture | $62,371 | 1.5x |
| Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) | $58,906 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $58,676 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $58,517 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $58,097 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $57,825 | 1.4x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $57,813 | 1.4x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $57,062 | 1.4x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $56,581 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,874 | 1.3x |
| Area Studies | $55,743 | 1.3x |
| Social Sciences, Other | $54,814 | 1.3x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $54,689 | 1.3x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $54,238 | 1.3x |
| Chemistry | $53,639 | 1.3x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,588 | 1.3x |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $53,582 | 1.3x |
| Social Work | $53,568 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $53,261 | 1.3x |
| Public Health | $53,247 | 1.3x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $52,781 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $51,191 | 1.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $50,391 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $50,049 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $49,933 | 1.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,755 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $49,044 | 1.2x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $48,875 | 1.2x |
| History | $47,845 | 1.1x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $47,295 | 1.1x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $47,260 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,012 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,896 | 1.1x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $45,878 | 1.1x |
| Philosophy | $44,568 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $44,357 | 1.1x |
| Education, General(1yr data) | $44,201 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,481 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,898 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $35,145 | 0.8x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $34,715 | 0.8x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $33,995 | 0.8x |
| Human Biology(1yr data) | $31,488 | 0.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $28,561 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $78,466 10 years after starting — $33,466 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.