Seattle University
Seattle University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Seattle University at a Glance
Seattle University is a private Jesuit university in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the largest independent university in the Northwestern United States, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within seven schools.
1891
135 years old
$318M
$318.3 million (2024)
7,189
4,103 undergrad · 3,086 grad
510
55 acres
Identity
Is Seattle University Worth It?
Seattle University offers moderate value at $34,662/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $75,272, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Seattle University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #39 of 65 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson University | 55 | $30,305 | $89,696 |
| #5 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #6 | Loyola University Maryland | 54 | $30,574 | $82,652 |
| #39 | Seattle University | 40 | $34,662 | $75,272 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Seattle University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in WA.
Best Programs at Seattle University
The highest-earning program at Seattle University is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $84,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate from Seattle University earns $84,200, while a Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduate earns $22,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates carry $27,650 in median debt vs. $25,718 for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,662/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $84,200 | $84,200 | $27,650 |
| Computer Science | $75,000 | $75,000 | $22,062 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,200 | $68,200 | $25,613 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,900 | $67,900 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $22,778 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,800 | $54,800 | $21,500 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $54,700 | $54,700 | $24,233 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,500 | $52,500 | $21,209 |
| International Business | $44,900 | $44,900 | $19,282 |
| Marketing | $43,800 | $43,800 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,100 | $43,100 | $24,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,900 | $35,900 | $22,667 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,400 | $35,400 | $22,563 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,000 | $34,000 | $23,833 |
| International/Global Studies | $33,600 | $33,600 | $21,667 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,200 | $33,200 | $24,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,600 | $31,600 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $23,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,700 | $25,700 | $25,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $24,800 | $24,800 | $24,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $24,400 | $24,400 | $22,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $22,000 | $22,000 | $25,718 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Seattle, WA
- Student Body
- 4,062 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,662
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $75,272
- Median Student Debt
- $19,883