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University of Washington-Seattle Campus — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Seattle, WA · 31,942 students

The verdict

University of Washington-Seattle Campus charges a net price of $14,091/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $56,364. Graduates earn a median $78,466 ten years after entry, $30,106/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.9 years — a 20-year net return of $545,756, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus's 1.9-year payback ranks #73 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 94% of them, and #3 of 64 in Washington.

Better ROI than 94% of US colleges#73 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$14,091
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$78,466
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
1.9 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
39%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Washington-Seattle Campus: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$14,091/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$56,364our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$78,466Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$30,106/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$14,615Scorecard, 2026
Payback1.9 yrsour math
20-year net return$545,756our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Washington-Seattle Campus's own numbers. Net price $14,091 × 4 years = $56,364 total. Median earnings $78,466 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $30,106 a year of premium. $56,364 ÷ $30,106 = 1.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $545,756. 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 University of Washington-Seattle Campus students graduate with?

A median $14,615 in federal loans among completers, or 19% of the $78,466 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Washington-Seattle Campus students graduate?

85% finish their degree. Spread the $56,364 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $66,311 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus expensive compared with other Washington colleges?

Its $14,091 net price runs $2,065 above the $12,027 median across the 64 Washington colleges we profile, or $8,258 more across the full degree.

University of Washington-Seattle Campus: frequently asked questions

Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Washington-Seattle Campus charges $14,091/yr after aid ($56,364 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $78,466 ten years out — $30,106/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 1.9 years and returns $545,756 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of Washington-Seattle Campus degree take to pay off?
About 1.9 years. We divide the $56,364 four-year net cost by the $30,106/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Washington-Seattle Campus cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $14,091/yr — about $56,364 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Washington-Seattle Campus compare to other Washington colleges?
It ranks #3 of 64 Washington colleges we track by payback. Its $78,466 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $14,091 net price is below the national median of $16,902.