University of Puget Sound Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Puget Sound is a private research university in Tacoma, Washington, enrolling about 1,594 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 72.25% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $69,594 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $62,898
- 2024 Average Net Price: $38,394 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 72.25% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,594 98.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 67.99%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
- First-Generation Students: 12.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 4.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 74.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1296
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,661
- Applicants (IPEDS): 5,548
- Room & Board: $16,498 annual estimate
University of Puget Sound: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Puget Sound, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA (ZIP 98416).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is University of Puget Sound public or private?
University of Puget Sound is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does University of Puget Sound cost?
Published tuition: $62,898.
Average net price after aid: $38,394.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $23,643 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $23,133 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $31,649 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $34,870 |
| $110,001+ | $45,456 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $251,592.
How hard is it to get into University of Puget Sound?
Admission rate: 72.25%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1296 and midpoint ACT 29.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Puget Sound?
Total enrollment: 1,594 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,661 students.
Graduate enrollment: 270 students.
About 99% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puget Sound?
150%-time completion rate: 67.99%.
First-year retention: 84.0%.
What do graduates of University of Puget Sound earn?
Median earnings: $46,802 six years after entry; $69,594 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
17.28% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Puget Sound known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (60 completions)
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist (42 completions)
- Psychology, General (37 completions)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (37 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (29 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (26 completions)
- Education, General (22 completions)
- Sociology and Anthropology (22 completions)
- Economics, General (21 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (20 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Puget Sound a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 72.25%; completion rate 67.99%; median earnings $69,594 at 10 years; net price $38,394. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$62,898
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Puget Sound was $62,898.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$38,394
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Puget Sound had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $38,394.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$153,576 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$38,394 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$251,592 4-Year Tuition
$16,498 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,000 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$80,396 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$321,584 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Puget Sound.
Financial Aid by Income Level
17.28% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
43.14% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Puget Sound was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Puget Sound in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $41,868 | $41,868 | $32,115 |
| 2014 | $43,428 | $43,428 | $37,400 |
| 2015 | $44,976 | $44,976 | $37,352 |
| 2016 | $46,552 | $46,552 | $37,324 |
| 2017 | $48,090 | $48,090 | $37,074 |
| 2018 | $49,776 | $49,776 | $36,075 |
| 2019 | $51,740 | $51,740 | $35,149 |
| 2020 | $52,775 | $52,775 | $33,562 |
| 2021 | $55,670 | $55,670 | $23,215 |
| 2022 | $57,626 | $57,626 | $37,164 |
| 2023 | $59,900 | $59,900 | $38,920 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
72.25% Acceptance Rate
5,548 Total Applicants
4,232 Students Admitted
463 First-Time Students Enrolled
10.94% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1296
ACT Average: 29
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Puget Sound reported total enrollment of about 1,594 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 44% male and 56% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (66.1%), Hispanic or Latino (11.4%), and Two or More Races (9.1%). About 17.28% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 12.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
98.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Puget Sound in 2024 is 1,594 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,661 students. Graduate enrollment is about 270 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
84.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 66.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
1.53% 100% Completion Time
67.99% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 1.53% of students graduating from University of Puget Sound completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 55% male / 45% female
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist: 10% male / 90% female
- Psychology, General: 24% male / 76% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Puget Sound.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$69,594 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.92% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
353.16% Return on Investment
3.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Puget Sound.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 53 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 60 completions
2. Occupational Therapy/Therapist: 42 completions
3. Psychology, General: 37 completions
4. Physical Therapy/Therapist: 37 completions
5. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 29 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 26 completions
7. Education, General: 22 completions
8. Sociology and Anthropology: 22 completions
9. Economics, General: 21 completions
Most popular programs at University of Puget Sound.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Puget Sound graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Puget Sound from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 74.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,726
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $23,433
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Puget Sound is a private non-profit institution located in Tacoma, WA, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Occupational Therapy/Therapist, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 1,594 students. Student body composition includes White (66.1%), Hispanic or Latino (11.4%), Two or More Races (9.1%). The admission rate is 72.25%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1296. The 150%-time completion rate is 67.99%. Approximately 17.28% of students receive Pell Grants. About 12.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Location
Tacoma, WA 98416
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 53 distinct degree programs, University of Puget Sound provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Puget Sound located?
University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA.
What is University of Puget Sound's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Puget Sound is 72.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 5,548 applicants and 4,232 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Puget Sound cost?
Reported tuition is $62,898 and average net price is $38,394 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,498 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,661 students, White (66.1%), Hispanic or Latino (11.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Puget Sound?
About 12.3% of students at University of Puget Sound are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Puget Sound?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Puget Sound reports midpoint SAT about 1296 and midpoint ACT about 29.
What do graduates of University of Puget Sound earn?
Median earnings are $46,802 six years after entry and $69,594 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Puget Sound?
The 150%-time completion rate is 68.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Puget Sound students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is University of Puget Sound public or private?
University of Puget Sound is a private nonprofit institution located in Tacoma, WA.
Is University of Puget Sound an HBCU?
No. University of Puget Sound is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Puget Sound a tribal college?
No. University of Puget Sound is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Washington college costs
- Washington colleges by ROI
- Tacoma, Washington city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Washington
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.