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University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, Washington 98416

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

University of Puget Sound is a private institution in Tacoma with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1332, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.6K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

68% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $69,594 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $38,920.

Established
1888
Motto
προs τα ακρα
Mascot
"Grizz" the Logger
Type
Private Liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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76%Acceptance
1332SAT Avg
1,631Students
10:1Student:Faculty
68%Grad Rate
$69,594Earnings 10yr
$38,920Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1332

Reading & WritingMid: 640
615710
MathMid: 620
570680

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2731

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$59,900
Room & Board$15,040
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$75,509
Average Net Price$38,920
Median Debt at Graduation$25,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$265

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$28,409
$30–48K$29,663
$48–75K$33,336
$75–110K$37,880
$110K+$45,996

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

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$19,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (52)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

80%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,631
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
12%
Pell Grant Recipients
17%

Race & Ethnicity

White 67%
Black 3%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 6%
Two+ 9%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate67.9%
Freshman Retention80.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,802
10 Years$69,594

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#95
vs 2024
Forbes
#205
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#80
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Seatac Cup

BaseballFootballLacrosseSoftballVolleyballNational soccerSoccerClub lacrosseClub ultimateRugby clubBasketballCrossSwimCrew hasRecordsSwimming archivedBasketball archived

History & Fun Facts

  • History The University of Puget Sound was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888 in downtown Tacoma.
  • A charter was drawn up and filed in Olympia on March 17, 1888.
  • In September 1890, Puget Sound opened its doors, taking in 88 students.
  • It moved locations three times in 13 years and, at one time, the school was merged with Portland University (former campus is now the University of Portland).
  • It opened up a year later (1899) back in Tacoma on the 9th and G Street.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

124High

Estimated from WA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

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

Nearest Cities

Seattlepop. 740K
25 mi(43 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
121 mi(210 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
656 mi(1137 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SEA Seattle-Tacoma15 mi
PDX Portland OR116 mi
BOI Boise396 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2497 mi · ~72h 8m drive
New York, NY2412 mi · ~69h 41m drive
Hartford, CT2441 mi · ~70h 31m drive
Providence, RI2497 mi · ~72h 8m drive
Albany, NY2364 mi · ~68h 18m drive
Syracuse, NY2243 mi · ~64h 48m drive
Rochester, NY2172 mi · ~62h 45m drive
Buffalo, NY2121 mi · ~61h 16m drive
Philadelphia, PA2382 mi · ~68h 49m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2141 mi · ~61h 51m drive
Harrisburg, PA2291 mi · ~66h 11m drive
Newark, NJ2403 mi · ~69h 25m drive
Washington, DC2329 mi · ~67h 17m drive
Baltimore, MD2336 mi · ~67h 29m drive
Atlanta, GA2180 mi · ~62h 59m drive
Charlotte, NC2285 mi · ~66h 1m drive
Raleigh, NC2367 mi · ~68h 23m drive
Miami, FL2731 mi · ~78h 54m drive
Orlando, FL2546 mi · ~73h 33m drive
Tampa, FL2525 mi · ~72h 57m drive
Nashville, TN1973 mi · ~57h drive
New Orleans, LA2096 mi · ~60h 33m drive
Richmond, VA2358 mi · ~68h 7m drive
Chicago, IL1740 mi · ~50h 16m drive
Detroit, MI1942 mi · ~56h 6m drive
Minneapolis, MN1400 mi · ~40h 27m drive
St. Louis, MO1723 mi · ~49h 47m drive
Kansas City, MO1504 mi · ~43h 27m drive
Indianapolis, IN1873 mi · ~54h 7m drive
Columbus, OH2015 mi · ~58h 13m drive
Cleveland, OH2029 mi · ~58h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI1695 mi · ~48h 58m drive
Dallas, TX1675 mi · ~48h 23m drive
Houston, TX1883 mi · ~54h 24m drive
Austin, TX1762 mi · ~50h 54m drive
San Antonio, TX1778 mi · ~51h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA939 mi · ~27h 8m drive
San Francisco, CA656 mi · ~18h 57m drive
San Diego, CA1043 mi · ~30h 8m drive
Seattle, WA25 mi · ~43 min drive
Portland, OR121 mi · ~3h 30m drive
Denver, CO1016 mi · ~29h 21m drive
Phoenix, AZ1098 mi · ~31h 43m drive
Salt Lake City, UT691 mi · ~19h 58m drive
Honolulu, HI2662 mi · ~76h 54m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Puget Sound Application Checklist

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