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University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA · City · 1,594 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$38,394
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
68%
Graduation rate
69% typical
$69,594
Earnings 10 years on
$58,391 typical
72%
Acceptance rate
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
About

The University of Puget Sound is an independent national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, renowned for strong programs in the natural and environmental sciences, international political economy, business, and music. Undergraduates benefit from close faculty mentorship, collaborative research, and signature experiential opportunities like the immersive, multi-country Pacific Rim study-travel program. Set on a picturesque Tudor Gothic campus with views of Mount Rainier, the student culture is intellectually curious, environmentally conscious, and deeply engaged in both community service and the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant outdoor recreation.

Wikipedia:The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1888. The institution offers a variety of undergraduate degrees as well as five graduate programs in counseling, education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health.

Location
Tacoma, WA, 98416 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SEA · Seattle
15 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$62,898
Housing & food (on campus)$16,498
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$90,766
Average net price$38,394
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$62,898
Housing & food (on campus)$16,498
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$90,766
Average net price$38,394
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.pugetsound.edu
How it’s made up
Tuition$67,550
Fees$638
Housing$9,854
Food$8,180
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$2,124
Transportation$1,420
Total published by the school$90,766
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$23,643
$30–48k
$23,133
$48–75k
$31,649
$75–110k
$34,870
$110k+
$45,456
Grants from the school
98% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $33,520
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$30,447
First-years who got one153
Source: University of Puget Sound's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
68%
Within 4 yrs
2%
Back for yr 2
84%
Transferred
19%
Pell students: 66.7% · others: 68.3% 
8 yrs after starting
75% graduated · 20% transferred · 5% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$46,802
10 yrs after entry$69,594
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$6k–$29k
90th percentile$39,750
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: $58,391 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
72%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1296
R 610–710 · M 560–670
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 27–31 · E 25–30 · M 23–29
SAT middle 50%: 1170–1380
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 65.6% · women 77.7% 
Yield: 11.4% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If University of Puget Sound asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 44%Women 56%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
17%
First-gen
12%
Family income
$90,104
Independent
11%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
1%
Where first-years come from
In state (WA)
32.6%
Out of state
66.7%
International
0.7%

Most out-of-state first-years from: CA 110 · OR 51 · CO 38 · HI 23 · MN 15

Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
11%
Black
3%
Asian
7%
Two or more
9%
AI/AN
1%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$46,802
After 10 yrs
$69,594
Business Administration, Management and Operations68
Political Science and Government46
Psychology, General43
Biology, General37
Natural Resources Conservation and Research26
Biological and Physical Sciences25
Communication and Media Studies24
History24
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness23
Economics22
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics20
Computer Science19
Sociology and Anthropology17
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences16
International Relations and National Security Studies16
Religion/Religious Studies14
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$471M
Full-time faculty
75%
Faculty salary
$10,726/mo
Teaching spend
$23,433
per student
Federal loans
43%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if University of Puget Sound is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search