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Seattle University

Seattle U

Seattle, Washington 98122-4340

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Strong graduate outcomes — known for health sciences

Seattle University is a private institution in Seattle with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1266, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.1K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

73% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $75,272 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $34,802.

Established
1891
Motto
For the difference we make
Mascot
Rudy the Redhawk
Type
Private university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

76%Acceptance
1266SAT Avg
4,117Students
10:1Student:Faculty
73%Grad Rate
$75,272Earnings 10yr
$34,802Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1266

Reading & WritingMid: 605
570670
MathMid: 620
560680

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2330

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$54,285
Room & Board$14,748
Books & Supplies$762
Total Cost of Attendance$68,633
Average Net Price$34,802
Median Debt at Graduation$19,883
Monthly Payment (10yr)$211

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$23,374
$30–48K$24,900
$48–75K$30,151
$75–110K$38,105
$110K+$42,970

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

54.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,658

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

31

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

8

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

8

Drug Arrests

6

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (139)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
4,117
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
19%
Pell Grant Recipients
22%

Race & Ethnicity

White 31%
Black 7%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 27%
Two+ 10%
Int'l 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate73.3%
Freshman Retention84.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$64,656
10 Years$75,272

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#124
vs 2024
Forbes
#162
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#197
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballGolfTennis starBasketball coachCoach joanCollege basketballBasketball after

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1898, the school was renamed after the city it was located in as Seattle College, which itself was named after Chief Seattle.
  • Seattle College granted its first bachelor's degrees 11 years later.
  • From 1919 to 1931, the college moved to Interlaken Boulevard but in 1931 it returned to First Hill permanently.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

132Very High

Estimated from WA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Seattlepop. 740K
1 mi(2 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
146 mi(253 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
679 mi(1177 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SEA Seattle-Tacoma11 mi
PDX Portland OR140 mi
BOI Boise406 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2485 mi · ~71h 47m drive
New York, NY2401 mi · ~69h 22m drive
Hartford, CT2429 mi · ~70h 10m drive
Providence, RI2485 mi · ~71h 47m drive
Albany, NY2353 mi · ~67h 59m drive
Syracuse, NY2231 mi · ~64h 27m drive
Rochester, NY2161 mi · ~62h 26m drive
Buffalo, NY2110 mi · ~60h 57m drive
Philadelphia, PA2373 mi · ~68h 33m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2132 mi · ~61h 35m drive
Harrisburg, PA2282 mi · ~65h 55m drive
Newark, NJ2393 mi · ~69h 8m drive
Washington, DC2321 mi · ~67h 3m drive
Baltimore, MD2328 mi · ~67h 15m drive
Atlanta, GA2178 mi · ~62h 55m drive
Charlotte, NC2280 mi · ~65h 52m drive
Raleigh, NC2361 mi · ~68h 12m drive
Miami, FL2731 mi · ~78h 54m drive
Orlando, FL2546 mi · ~73h 33m drive
Tampa, FL2526 mi · ~72h 58m drive
Nashville, TN1970 mi · ~56h 55m drive
New Orleans, LA2098 mi · ~60h 37m drive
Richmond, VA2351 mi · ~67h 55m drive
Chicago, IL1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Detroit, MI1933 mi · ~55h 51m drive
Minneapolis, MN1391 mi · ~40h 11m drive
St. Louis, MO1720 mi · ~49h 41m drive
Kansas City, MO1502 mi · ~43h 23m drive
Indianapolis, IN1867 mi · ~53h 56m drive
Columbus, OH2008 mi · ~58h 1m drive
Cleveland, OH2020 mi · ~58h 21m drive
Milwaukee, WI1687 mi · ~48h 44m drive
Dallas, TX1679 mi · ~48h 30m drive
Houston, TX1889 mi · ~54h 34m drive
Austin, TX1769 mi · ~51h 6m drive
San Antonio, TX1785 mi · ~51h 34m drive
Los Angeles, CA960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
San Francisco, CA679 mi · ~19h 37m drive
San Diego, CA1064 mi · ~30h 44m drive
Seattle, WA1 mi · ~2 min drive
Portland, OR146 mi · ~4h 13m drive
Denver, CO1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Phoenix, AZ1114 mi · ~32h 11m drive
Salt Lake City, UT699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Honolulu, HI2680 mi · ~77h 25m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Deadline Calendar

Seattle University Application Checklist

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