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Polymer/Plastics Engineering at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $60,375/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Medium (21,200 openings/yr)

ROI 16.9x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #3 of 4 Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Polymer/Plastics Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$639K	$626K	$569K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.2x	16.9x	15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.6x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	67%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	55	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,743

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $60,375 per year, Polymer/Plastics Engineering graduates from Western Washington University earn below the $71,235 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 16.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Polymer/Plastics Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $19,743 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Polymer/Plastics Engineering is offered at just 4 schools in our analysis. Western Washington University's #3 ranking should be read in that context.

About Western Washington University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Western Washington University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Chemical engineers $121,860/yr

Materials engineers $108,310/yr

View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Polymer/Plastics Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Washington University

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Polymer/Plastics Engineering at Western Washington University?

At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Polymer/Plastics Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Polymer/Plastics Engineering at Western Washington University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Western Washington University a good choice for Polymer/Plastics Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Western Washington University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →