Compare 7 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $78,604.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Mechanical Engineering tells a different story. Across 7 programs, earnings range from $69,502 to $87,137—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $87,137, well above the $78,604 state average. Washington State University follows at $83,875 with a much larger cohort of 294 students, proving that program scale and outcomes don't always correlate with admission selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Even when including parent loans, the family burden stays manageable at 9.2%, making loan payments a minimal bite out of post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $87,137
Strong outcomes ($83,875) with 85% acceptance
3.1% payment burden | Excellent
9.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $87,137 | 124 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #2 | $83,875 | 294 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $81,022 | 36 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Manageable |
| #4 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $79,368 | 75 | $24,454 | Excellent | $37,652 | Manageable |
| #5 | Saint Martin's UniversityPrivate | $78,285 | 38 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,678 | Good |
| #6 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $71,039 | 18 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | Challenging |
| #7 | $69,502 | 70 | $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 →