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) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
City University of Seattle Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
City University of Seattle follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CityU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
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
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CityU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CityU Without SAT or ACT?
CityU's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CityU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CityU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
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?
At $35,049/year against a $69,460 median graduate salary, CityU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $67,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.78%.
How much does a degree from CityU Cost?
The sticker price is $35,049/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
12.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 14.4% take federal loans at CityU — file your FAFSA early and list CityU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CityU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $69,460 — about 71% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at CityU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CityU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at City University of Seattle run about $69,460 a year.
City University of Seattle costs roughly $35,049 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
City University of Seattle's Pell Grant rate of 12.8% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
City University of Seattle follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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