Seattle University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Seattle University charges a net price of $34,662/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $138,648. Graduates earn a median $75,272 ten years after entry, $26,912/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.2 years — a 20-year net return of $399,592, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Seattle University's 5.2-year payback ranks #449 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 65% of them, and #10 of 64 in Washington.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $34,662/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $138,648 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $75,272 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $26,912/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,883 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $399,592 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Seattle University's own numbers. Net price $34,662 × 4 years = $138,648 total. Median earnings $75,272 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $26,912 a year of premium. $138,648 ÷ $26,912 = 5.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $399,592. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Seattle University students graduate with?
A median $19,883 in federal loans among completers, or 26% of the $75,272 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Seattle University students graduate?
76% finish their degree. Spread the $138,648 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $182,432 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Seattle University expensive compared with other Washington colleges?
Its $34,662 net price runs $22,636 above the $12,027 median across the 64 Washington colleges we profile, or $90,542 more across the full degree.