Compare 7 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $84,470.
With top graduates earning $92,752, Laser and Optical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $6K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with graduates earning $92,752, well above the $84,470 state average. Gonzaga University follows at $88,459 despite being a smaller private school, while Washington State University delivers $87,229—demonstrating that program strength varies independently of institutional type.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 2.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes truly affordable.
Highest program earnings: $92,752
Strong outcomes ($88,459) with 76% acceptance
2.9% payment burden | Excellent
8.4% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $92,752 | 224 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #2 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $88,459 | 23 | $24,454 | Excellent | $37,652 | Manageable |
| #3 | $87,229 | 113 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Good | |
| #4 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $86,784 | 22 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Manageable |
| #5 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $81,199 | 13 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | Manageable |
| #6 | $77,516 | 23 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Good | |
| #7 | $77,350 | 46 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,148 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
