Seattle U: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Seattle University · Seattle, Washington · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #179 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #149 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #38 (tie), Computer Science #193 (tie), Nursing #94 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Seattle University.
Is Seattle U a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Seattle U against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Seattle U is a private nonprofit university in Seattle, Washington that admits about 77% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $34,662 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 13.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Seattle U is a private institution located in Seattle, Washington. For the most recent reporting cycle, Seattle U admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 77%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1307 and an ACT composite around 28. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $34,662 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Seattle U?
Seattle U has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare Seattle U with the other schools on your list
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What does Seattle U weight in admissions?
Seattle U reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
1- Application essay
SAT and ACT scores Seattle U typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1307 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | 28 |
| 75th percentile | 30 |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Test-optional. If scores are sent, some majors (business, nursing, STEM) set minimum SAT/ACT section scores.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Seattle U's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Seattle U actually cost?
Published tuition is $56,721 for in-state students and $56,721 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,702 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $34,662 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 24% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $34,662 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Seattle U
The most popular undergraduate programs at Seattle U, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, Seattle U confers roughly 666 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $91,519 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 232 | $91,519 |
| Psychology, General | 90 | $59,587 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 89 | $83,378 |
| Computer Science | 75 | $132,713 |
| Marketing | 47 | $79,251 |
| Biology, General | 46 | $62,523 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 44 | $101,374 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 43 | $77,071 |
Is Seattle U safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Seattle U disclosed 54 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 13.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 10 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Seattle U
Common questions parents ask about Seattle U
What GPA do I need for Seattle U?
Seattle U has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Seattle U typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–30.
How much does Seattle U actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Seattle U after grants and scholarships is $34,662 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $56,721. Budget against the net figure.
Is Seattle U realistic for my child?
Seattle U admits 77% of applicants, so 580–720 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $34,662 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Seattle U?
Seattle U accepts about 77% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Seattle U test-optional?
Yes. Seattle U is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered. Test-optional. If scores are sent, some majors (business, nursing, STEM) set minimum SAT/ACT section scores.
What does Seattle U look for in applicants?
Seattle U rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Seattle U a public or private school, and where is it located?
Seattle U is a private nonprofit institution located in Seattle, Washington.
What are the most popular majors at Seattle U?
The largest undergraduate majors at Seattle U by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 666 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Seattle U safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Seattle U reported 54 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 13.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Seattle University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers