Acceptance Rate
72%
Avg. SAT
1380
75th percentile
“Tacoma's wooded liberal arts college where professors lead small seminars overlooking the Puget Sound.”
Tacoma, WA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Founded in 1888 by Methodist pioneers, the University of Puget Sound moved to its current hilltop site in Tacoma a few years later, establishing a residential liberal arts focus that endures today. Students who thrive here seek close professor relationships and a collaborative atmosphere, often drawn to the Pacific Northwest's outdoor lifestyle amid evergreens and bay views. The campus personality feels approachable and understated, fostering tight-knit bonds in a community of around 2,000 undergraduates. Tacoma shapes daily life as a working port city with gritty industrial edges, museums, and proximity to Seattle, offering urban access without big-city frenzy. High tuition reflects the private model, while frequent rain demands indoor study habits and rain gear for campus walks.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Puget Sound excels in health professions like occupational and physical therapy, alongside a business program holding rare AACSB accreditation for undergraduates, marine biology leveraging the nearby Sound, and strong sciences overall. Classrooms buzz with discussion in seminars capped at 20, where professors—many recent PhDs—prioritize teaching over research, pulling students into real projects from day one. You'll dissect Puget Sound ecosystems in labs or analyze case studies in business ethics with faculty who know your name. Tradeoffs include fewer large-scale research facilities compared to state universities, and popular majors like business fill quickly for upperclass spots.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,594 undergrad • 270 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
66%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
10%
Asian
8%
Other / Multi-racial
13%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Tacoma, WA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus hums with a low-key vibe: weekdays blend classes, club meetings, and coffee runs, weekends feature hikes, kayaking, or low-pressure parties in residence halls. Nearly all freshmen live on campus in one of seven halls, building instant communities through floor events and shared lounges, while Greek life stays minimal. Traditions like Loggerjack Days celebrate the mascot with chainsaw carvings and bonfires. Social scenes skew outdoorsy and inclusive, with over 100 clubs from ultimate frisbee to debate. Tacoma's moderate cost of living beats Seattle's, but persistent drizzle limits sunny barbecues, and the surrounding port bustle adds a blue-collar hum rather than polished urban polish.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Northwest Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$9,749
$30K – $48K
$12,232
$48K – $75K
$17,783
$75K – $110K
$22,753
$110K+
$32,735
Apply for Financial Aid
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
84%
4 Years Graduation Rate
68%
6 Years Graduation Rate
75%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$69,594
84% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Puget Sound and return in the fall. 68% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 75% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
68%
4-6 years
7%
Non-grad
25%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$57,330
Acceptance
72%
Undergrads
1,594
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
Endowment
$334M
Tacoma, WA 98416
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