Legal Studies at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
51
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,558/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

As a highly-ranked program in General Legal Studies, UW-Seattle offers a robust foundation in legal principles, though it's important to understand this isn't a direct pipeline to practicing law. The program's strength lies in preparing you for crucial support roles within the vibrant Seattle legal market, which includes major corporate legal departments (think tech giants), numerous law firms, and government agencies. Your path will likely involve analytical, research, and organizational tasks, essential for attorneys but distinct from their practice. The outcomes reflect this reality: strong, but typical for non-professional legal support roles. To truly maximize your potential and mitigate the moderate AI risk, focus on developing complementary skills. Pursue internships in specific legal areas like intellectual property or corporate compliance, and actively build proficiency in legal tech tools and data management. This specialization will make you an indispensable asset in a competitive job market.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Legal Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $699K $687K $640K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.6x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.1x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 51 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,572
Out-of-state: $167,988 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,940
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,512
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,073
87% growth from Year 1

About University of Washington-Seattle Campus

University of Washington-Seattle Campus accepts 43% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 31,588 students in Seattle, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Seattle Campus →

Top Career Paths

Legal support workers, all other $68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Legal Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Legal Studies at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
At 51/100, University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Legal Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is University of Washington-Seattle Campus one of the best schools for Legal Studies?
Among 37 Legal Studies programs, University of Washington-Seattle Campus's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →