University of Puget Sound: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Tacoma, Washington · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Puget Sound is a private nonprofit university in Tacoma, Washington that admits about 72% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $38,394 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 68% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 12.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Puget Sound is a private institution located in Tacoma, Washington with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Puget Sound admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 72%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1280 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,394 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Puget Sound?
71% of enrolled students at University of Puget Sound had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Puget Sound weight in admissions?
University of Puget Sound reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Alumni/ae relation
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores University of Puget Sound typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–31. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1160 |
| 50th percentile | 1280 |
| 75th percentile | 1388 |
| % submitting SAT | 31% |
| 25th percentile | 27 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 31 |
| % submitting ACT | 10% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 35.6% |
| Top 25% of class | 62.2% |
| Top 50% of class | 86.7% |
| % submitting class rank | 41.9% |
How much does University of Puget Sound actually cost?
Published tuition is $62,898 for in-state students and $62,898 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,498 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $38,394 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 17% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $65,270 |
| Room and board | $16,450 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $38,394 |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Puget Sound
| Regular deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | April 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 84% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Puget Sound?
These predict outcomes at University of Puget Sound better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Puget Sound
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Puget Sound, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Puget Sound confers roughly 281 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $82,150 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 62 | $82,150 |
| Political Science and Government | 53 | $57,451 |
| Psychology, General | 41 | $55,554 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 29 | — |
| Computer Science | 26 | $101,929 |
| Economics | 26 | $69,224 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 25 | $78,034 |
| Biology, General | 19 | $57,877 |
Is University of Puget Sound safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Puget Sound disclosed 20 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 12.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Puget Sound?
About 70% of undergraduates at University of Puget Sound live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 23% of men join a fraternity and 18% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Washington parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Puget Sound
Common questions parents ask about University of Puget Sound
What GPA do I need for University of Puget Sound?
71% of enrolled students at University of Puget Sound had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.63, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Puget Sound typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 640. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–31.
How much does University of Puget Sound actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Puget Sound after grants and scholarships is $38,394 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $62,898. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Puget Sound realistic for my child?
University of Puget Sound admits 72% of applicants, so 560–670 SAT Math is target range and below 560 is a reach. Then check the $38,394 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound accepts about 72% of applicants out of roughly 5,239 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of Puget Sound test-optional?
Yes. University of Puget Sound is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puget Sound?
About 68% of students at University of Puget Sound graduate within six years. 84% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 84%, compared with its overall rate of 72%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does University of Puget Sound look for in applicants?
University of Puget Sound rates course rigor, GPA, the application essay and character and personal qualities as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Puget Sound a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Puget Sound is a private nonprofit institution located in Tacoma, Washington.
What are the most popular majors at University of Puget Sound?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Puget Sound by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Political Science and Government and Psychology, General. The school awards about 281 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Puget Sound safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Puget Sound reported 20 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 12.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Puget Sound?
At University of Puget Sound, 70% of undergraduates live on campus, 23% of men are in fraternities, 18% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Puget Sound, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers