Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering: earnings, debt & careers

Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates of Western Washington University earn a median $92,439 four years after graduating ($60,375 after one year), with median federal loan debt of $21,656. That is $4,171 above the U.S. median for Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates ($88,268 across 6 colleges), and ranks 1st of 1 Washington colleges.

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Earnings, 4 years after graduating
$92,439

U.S. median for this major: $88,268.

College Scorecard field of study; 24 graduates with earnings reported. A small group, so treat this figure with caution

Earnings, 1 year after
$60,375

Median for graduates who received federal aid.

College Scorecard field of study

Median debt at graduation
$21,656

About 23% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $27,000.

College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)

What your family pays
$21,193 /yr

Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.

Sticker price $30,359. College Scorecard.

Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering: pay against the field, and payback

Same major, other colleges

Western Washington University graduates$92,439

Fewer than 3 Washington colleges report earnings for this major, so there is no state median.

U.S. median (6 colleges)$88,268 (+$4,171)

Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.

Polymer / Plastics Engineering nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →

Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income

Uses Western Washington University's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.

Family incomeNet price / yrCost to finishYears to pay back
$0–30k$12,915$57,2131.1 years
$30–48k$14,147$62,6711.2 years
$48–75k$17,539$77,6981.5 years
$75–110k$24,301$107,6532.1 years
$110k+$27,984$123,9692.4 years

Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.4 years, the average time graduates took (42% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates 4 years after graduating ($92,439) minus $40,219 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in WA (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $52,220 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method

College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.

Careers for Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Bellingham area$193,360
Washington$189,680
U.S.$171,270

Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +5.5% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.

Materials Engineers

Washington$139,840
U.S.$112,860

Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +7.5% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.

Chemical Engineers

Washington$128,290
U.S.$125,040

Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +4.7% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.

What families pay at Western Washington University, by income

School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.

College Scorecard

About Western Washington University

Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering questions

How much do Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates earn?

Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates of Western Washington University earn a median $92,439 four years after graduating and $60,375 one year after. The U.S. median for Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates across 6 colleges is $88,268.

How much debt do Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates have?

The median federal loan debt for Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates of Western Washington University is $21,656, about 23% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $27,000.

Where does Western Washington University rank for Polymer / Plastics Engineering in Washington?

Of 1 Washington colleges reporting Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduate earnings, Western Washington University ranks 1st, the highest.

What jobs do Polymer / Plastics Engineering graduates get?

A common career is architectural and engineering managers, with a median wage of $193,360 in the Bellingham, WA area and $171,270 nationally. Others include materials engineers and chemical engineers.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
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Cite this: “Western Washington University Polymer / Plastics Engineering: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/western-washington-university/majors/polymer-plastics-engineering (College Scorecard and BLS data).