Seattle University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Seattle, Washington. It enrolls 4,062 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Academic CalendarQuarter
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
64/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes80
Value27
Affordability18
Selectivity64
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 76.9%, Seattle University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
76.9%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1200 – 1430
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
23 – 30
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Seattle University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↓
2.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Seattle University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $34,662 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$34,662
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
24%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
49%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$56,721
Room & Board (on-campus)
$15,702
Room & Board (off-campus)
$15,702
Books & Supplies
$792
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$1,913
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,913
Total Cost of Attendance
$72,124
Application fee: $60 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$22,896
$30,001 – $48,000
$24,523
$48,001 – $75,000
$26,977
$75,001 – $110,000
$36,967
Over $110,000
$42,737
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$4,16610%percentile
$8,00025%percentile
$19,883Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$30,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $17,000
↓ $2,883
No Pell $16,330
↓ $3,553
Dependent students $15,905
↓ $3,978
Independent students $20,832
↑ $949
Female students $17,050
↓ $2,833
Male students $15,000
↓ $4,883
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,667, less than completers ($19,883), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
74% of full-time students who enrolled at Seattle University graduate within six years, and 84% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
74%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
84%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Seattle University earn a median of $75,272 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$75,272
Earning > $25K
87%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$59,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$70,200
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$65,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$60,400
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$63,200
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,800, about 15% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
10.3 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 89% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Seattle University is home to 4,062 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
4,062
Part-Time
2%
First-Generation
19%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 28.8%1,169
Asian 28.0%1,139
Hispanic 15.8%643
Other 11.6%473
Black 7.5%305
International 7.2%293
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Seattle University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CitySeattle, Washington
Housing
Mostly residential2,448 beds on campus
Adult Learners
5%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
Seattle University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
96 distinct programs across
25 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Seattle University is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$694M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$96,471
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
526 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
116
22%
$140,041
Associate Professors
173
33%
$94,828
Assistant Professors
178
34%
$82,668
Instructors
48
9%
$62,558
No Rank
11
2%
$34,180
Pros & Cons of Seattle University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Seattle University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Above-average graduation rate
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Above-average net price
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Seattle University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seattle University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Seattle University.
Is Seattle University hard to get into?
Seattle University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 76.9%.
What is the acceptance rate at Seattle University?
Seattle University has an acceptance rate of 76.9%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Seattle University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Seattle University scored between 1200 and 1430 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Seattle University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Seattle University scored between 23 and 30 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Seattle University cost?
The average net price after aid at Seattle University is $34,662 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Seattle University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $75,272 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $34,662 per year. That's roughly 2.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Seattle University known for?
Seattle University is best known for its programs in Nursing, Business Administration, Law. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Seattle University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Seattle University are $75,272, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Seattle University accredited?
Yes. Seattle University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many students attend Seattle University?
Seattle University enrolls 4,062 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Seattle University?
Seattle University graduates 74% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Seattle University a public or private college?
Seattle University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Seattle University located?
Seattle University is located in Seattle, Washington.
What programs does Seattle University offer?
Seattle University offers 96 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Business Administration, Law.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Seattle University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Seattle University is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Washington
Other colleges in Washington share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Psychology
Teacher Education (K-12)
Business Administration
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