Business Administration Degree in Seattle, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Business Administration degree analysis for Seattle, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$106K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.4 yrs
in Seattle
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Business Administration in Seattle, WA Overview
Seattle, Washington (pop. 737,015) has 16 colleges offering Business Administration programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,508/month. Business Administration enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Leadership and Strategic Planning. The adjusted starting salary in Seattle is approximately $69,600, growing to $105,600 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,076/yr
Private Tuition
$49,119/yr
Room & Board
$18,145/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,675/yr
Unemployment
3.1%
Graduation Rate
68%
Business Administration Salary in Seattle (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Seattle's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Business Administration salary: $58,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Seattle adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Business Administration ROI Calculator for Seattle
Estimate your return on investment for a Business Administration degree using local Seattle tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,076 | Private avg: $49,119
Seattle avg aid: $10,675/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$120,884
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,600
vs HS diploma in Seattle
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Seattle
$659,116
Lifetime earnings premium ($780,000) minus total education cost ($120,884)
Student Loan Payoff for Business Administration in Seattle
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Seattle for Business Administration
University of Washington
public
$12,076/yr
$48,304 total
Seattle University
private
$51,435/yr
$205,740 total
Seattle Pacific University
private
$46,803/yr
$187,212 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Seattle Central College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Business Administration in Seattle
Seattle offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Business Administration graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Seattle Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Business Administration Job Titles
Business Administration in Nearby Washington Cities
Spokane, WA
$70K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$66K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$63K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$104K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$67K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$69K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$71K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$71K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Business Majors in Seattle
Business Analytics
$94K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$78K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$60K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$60K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$74K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$60K starting · 4 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Business Administration degree outcomes in Seattle, WA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Business Administration programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Washington.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Seattle using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Business Administration graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Business Administration career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Business Administration grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Seattle Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Washington students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Washington programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "washington higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Business Administration Degree in Seattle — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Business Administration ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Seattle.