Compare 5 Public Finance. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $73,079.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 5 programs, earnings range from $60,166 to $94,385—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $94,385, well above the $73,079 average. Despite its 43% acceptance rate being more selective than Washington State University's 85%, the earnings gap demonstrates how program-specific factors drive outcomes beyond institutional selectivity.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UW-Seattle graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 2.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.15.
Highest program earnings: $94,385
Strong outcomes with 85% acceptance
2.8% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
8.3% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $94,385 | 299 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #2 | $70,504 | 198 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $70,265 | 69 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $70,076 | 116 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Challenging |
| #5 | $60,166 | 69 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,148 | Manageable |
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 →
