Seattle University

For Fall 2024, 8,468 first-year students applied to Seattle U, 6,514 were admitted and 888 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 76.9%.

Source: IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2024, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab), first-time, degree-seeking first-year students. Read Oct 1, 2026.

By school or major. Seattle University does not post a Common Data Set, so these counts come from the Department of Education's IPEDS survey for Fall 2024, which gives one first-year rate for the whole university and none by college or major.

Source: IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2024, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Early decision and early action. Early Decision is open only to Nursing and Diagnostic Ultrasound applicants, who may also use Early Action or Regular Decision. Early Action is open to all majors and is not binding. Seattle University does not publish early decision or early action counts.

Source: Seattle University First-Year Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

83 majors across 5 schools. Every bachelor's degree program in Seattle University's official 2026-2027 undergraduate catalog, grouped by the college or school that offers it, including Cornish College of the Arts. Honors versions of majors, minors, certificates and accelerated programs are left out.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

You apply through the Common Application. If you send test scores, they must arrive by November 1 for Early Action and January 15 for Regular Decision. Early Action admits get financial aid offers by mid-February and Regular Decision admits by late March; both have until May 1 to enroll. Applications after January 15 are read as space allows. The How to Apply page gives mid-December for both early plans and mid-March for Regular Decision. Applicants to Cornish College of the Arts also send an artist statement and meet audition or portfolio requirements.

Source: Seattle University First-Year Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Early Decision is binding: if you are accepted, you are expected to enroll at Seattle University. Admitted students get their decision and financial aid package within a few weeks. The Deadlines page gives two dates to enroll by, January 15 in one place and December 15 in another.

Source: Seattle University First-Year Admissions, Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

Seattle University is test-optional for all first-year applicants: you choose on the Common Application whether your SAT or ACT scores are reviewed. Applicants without scores are not at a disadvantage and are considered for scholarships and aid the same way.

Source: Seattle University First-Year Admissions, How to Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027

• Academic calendar. Seattle University moves from quarters to semesters starting with summer 2027. Students who enroll in fall 2027 or later study entirely on the semester calendar; fall semester classes begin August 30, 2027.

  Source: Seattle University, Move to Semesters (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028

Not announced yet. When we checked Seattle U's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.

Source: Seattle University First-Year Admissions, How to Apply (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

The published cost of a year at Seattle U, 2026-2027:

Seattle University's 2026-27 sample budget for a full-time undergraduate living on campus, for the fall, winter and spring quarters. The loan fee applies only to students who borrow. Students entering in fall 2027 start on semesters; its Move to Semesters page says the change will not by itself raise the total cost of a program and that 2027-2028 tuition, fees and aid will be adjusted to the semester calendar.

Source: Seattle University Student Financial Services, Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:

What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Seattle University's aid offer.

Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.

Chosen for how close each is to Seattle University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.

• Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA · Private79.6% admitted$35,119 average net price
• Chapman UniversityOrange, CA · Private72.1% admitted$46,555 average net price
• ULV
  University of La VerneLa Verne, CA · Private71.2% admitted$20,161 average net price
• University of the PacificStockton, CA · Private69.1% admitted$25,447 average net price
• Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL · Private79.3% admitted$32,622 average net price

Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.