Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
76.1% Acceptance Rate
Seattle University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
76.1%Acceptance Rate
3.62Avg GPA
1266Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$68,633Annual Cost
$75,272Grad Salary
21.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
76.1%
Avg GPA
3.62
Avg SAT
1266
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1130–1350
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Need-Based Aid
21.6% receive Pell
Seattle University is a private, Jesuit institution in Washington known for its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and global engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university fosters a vibrant campus environment that encourages critical inquiry, leadership, and service. Its focus on preparing students to be "agents of change" in their communities makes it a premier choice for those seeking a transformative and values-based education in an urban setting.
Seattle University Acceptance Rate
Seattle University (Seattle U) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 76.1% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 76.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.17
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Seattle University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Seattle University is January 15 for Regular Decision applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by March 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 159 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Seattle U GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Seattle U is 3.62. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.32 and 3.62? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.82–4.02.Seattle U GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.62 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.42 – 3.61
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.22 – 3.41
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.21
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Common App with essay required for general admission; two additional Seattle U-specific essays are optional (250-500 words each): "Why Seattle U" and "Belonging and Inclusion"
- Diagnostic Ultrasound program requires a mandatory 250-word essay and admits directly to a competitive four-year cohort, distinct from general university admission
- Cornish College of the Arts applicants submit a required Artist Statement via a separate Redhawk Admissions Portal, not through the standard Common App essay flow
- Test-optional; holistic review explicitly considers context around GPA, repeated courses, and non-traditional academic history, not GPA/test scores alone
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Seattle U
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Seattle University'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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Seattle University (Seattle U) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Seattle U is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Seattle U Without SAT or ACT?
Seattle U considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Seattle University Average SAT Score: 1266
The average SAT score of admitted students at Seattle University is 1266 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1266 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1350 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Seattle University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1130, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Seattle U. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 620 | 560 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1266 | 1130 | 1350 |
Below 1130, you're behind most admitted students; at 1350 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Seattle University (Seattle U) with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Seattle U's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Seattle University (Seattle U) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Seattle U is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Seattle University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Seattle U's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Seattle U.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Seattle U
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Seattle U is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Seattle University's optional Common App Short Essay (250-500 words) explicitly asks what drew you to apply and where you hope the education will take you, framed around the university's "500 years of Jesuit tradition" and location in a top tech/innovation city. Weave in specific, verifiable details - the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, a specific Seattle-based internship pipeline, or the Jesuit emphasis on "reflection before reaction" - rather than generic enthusiasm about the city; the essay guide industry itself flags this prompt as expecting genuine, researched specificity, not scenery description.
If Diagnostic Ultrasound is your target, treat its required 250-word essay as the actual admission gate, not a formality
Unlike most Seattle U majors, Diagnostic Ultrasound admits students directly to a competitive four-year cohort and requires a mandatory (not optional) essay explaining specifically why you're applying and what aspects of the profession uniquely excite you, capped at 250 words. Because this program admits by cohort rather than general university admission, treat this essay with the seriousness of a program-specific application essay elsewhere - vague "I want to help people" framing won't differentiate you in a direct-admit cohort process where every applicant is already committed to healthcare.
If Cornish College of the Arts is your target, submit the Artist Statement through the Redhawk Admissions Portal specifically - not the general Common App essay
Cornish College of the Arts applicants (Seattle University's arts college) must submit a required Artist Statement through a distinct portal (Redhawk Admissions Portal), separate from the standard Common App essay flow, focused on your artistic practice and specifically why Cornish at Seattle University fits you. Confirm you've actually located and completed this separate portal submission - a strong Common App alone does not fulfill this requirement, and it's easy to miss since it's not part of the primary application flow most applicants use.
Use the optional Belonging and Inclusion essay if you have a genuine, specific story - skip it if you don't
Seattle U's second optional essay asks about a specific experience involving equity, inclusion, or belonging and how it demonstrates your ability to contribute to the university community - it's explicitly optional, meaning a generic or forced response likely does more harm than skipping it. Only use this essay slot if you have a concrete, specific experience (not an abstract statement of values); Seattle U's holistic review process explicitly weighs context and unique background, so a genuine story here can meaningfully differentiate an application, but a manufactured one won't.
Expert Insight:
Because Seattle University's core Common App essay requirement and both supplemental essays are labeled "optional," some applicants skip all of them to save time - but Seattle U's holistic admissions process explicitly states that factors like personal essays and leadership experience can offset a lower GPA. Treating "optional" as "skip it" removes one of the few concrete levers a borderline applicant has to strengthen their file, particularly relevant given Seattle U's explicit statement that they consider context around GPA, repeated courses, and non-traditional academic paths.
Seattle U Profile
Full Name
Seattle University (Seattle U)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98122-4340
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Seattle U Degree Worth It?
At $68,633/year against a $75,272 median graduate salary, Seattle U 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 $70,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.5%.
How much does a degree from Seattle U Cost?
The sticker price is $68,633/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
21.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 46.1% take federal loans at Seattle U. File your FAFSA early and list Seattle U as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Seattle U Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $75,272. That's about 85% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Seattle University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | 1223 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Seattle University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Seattle University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at Seattle U
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle U Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Seattle University run about $75,272 a year.
At about $68,633 a year, Seattle University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Seattle University's Pell Grant rate of 21.6% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 76.1%, Seattle University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Seattle University average a 3.62 GPA.
Seattle University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.32 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.22, Seattle University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Seattle University — aim above 1266, ideally within the 1130–1350 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Seattle University is January 15 for Regular Decision applicants. Admission decisions are released by March 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
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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