Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
City University of Seattle — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$35,049Annual Cost
$69,460Grad Salary
12.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
12.8% receive Pell
City University of Seattle, established in 1973, specializes in business, education, and technology programs for working adults.
CityU is unranked but known for its flexible online and evening programs. Its Pacific Northwest location serves diverse professional needs.
City University of Seattle Acceptance Rate
City University of Seattle (CityU) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at CityU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on City University of Seattle's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
City University of Seattle (CityU) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into CityU Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for City University of Seattle is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CityU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CityU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Skip traditional essay-writing - but nail the self-direction essay for performance-based programs
CityU's undergraduate admission is open for most programs, built specifically around adult learners with work and family obligations. However, several graduate and applied-degree programs (e.g., MS Computer Science, BA in Human Services) require a specific written essay proving self-direction and time-management skills - describing how the applicant will structure 15-20 credits of coursework around work and family life - rather than a generic personal statement. Write this essay literally addressing scheduling and self-management, since that's specifically what evaluators screen for.
Use CityU's competency-based credit system to convert prior learning (military, corporate training, even hobbies) into real credit
CityU pioneered a performance-based degree model that lets students demonstrate mastery of learning outcomes through prior experience - corporate training at companies like Boeing, military occupational training, or substantial informal skill-building can sometimes satisfy course requirements. A prospective student with significant work or military experience should ask an admissions counselor specifically about prior-learning assessment before assuming they need to retake material they've effectively already learned on the job.
Leverage the Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification program if changing careers into teaching
CityU offers four distinct alternative certification pathways depending on a student's current employment status and degree level - from paraeducators without a bachelor's degree (Route 1) to career-changers with subject-matter expertise in shortage areas like math or English Language Learners (Route 3) - letting a student become a certified Washington teacher in as little as one year without a traditional education degree. Identify which specific route applies to your current situation before applying, since the routes have different prerequisites.
Use military and veteran benefits fully - CityU is a Yellow Ribbon school with dedicated staff
CityU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program (extending Post-9/11 GI Bill coverage beyond standard caps) and has a dedicated Veterans Affairs Officer and Military and Veteran Engagement Officer, plus a specific Military Tuition Rate and credit for military training. A military-affiliated student should contact these named staff directly before enrolling to maximize benefit stacking.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume every CityU program has the same open-admission simplicity - several programs (MS Computer Science, BA Human Services, and others) require detailed program-specific essays and, for Human Services specifically, a signed acknowledgment regarding internships and criminal background checks; check the exact program-specific requirements page before assuming general admission alone is sufficient.
CityU Profile
Full Name
City University of Seattle (CityU)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98121
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a CityU Degree Worth It?
Getting into CityU can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. CityU offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at CityU is $67,500 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.78%.
How much does a degree from CityU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at City University of Seattle is $35,049. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at City University of Seattle is much less than this.
12.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 14.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to CityU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At City University of Seattle, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist CityU as your choice in the form.
How much does a CityU Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $69,460. An average CityU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at CityU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by City University of Seattle →
Frequently Asked Questions About CityU Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $69,460 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $35,049 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
12.8% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.