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University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA·Private·https://www.pugetsound.edu/

At a Glance

University of Puget Sound is a small private nonprofit university in Tacoma, WA. Approximately 1,594 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 72% acceptance rate. Lake Washington is about 20 miles from campus. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 31/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

72%
Acceptance Rate
5,239 applications
29
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 27–31
$62,898
2024-25 Tuition
$38,394
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$16,380
Room & Board
1,594
Undergraduates
Degree-seeking, all years
11%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
68%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity72% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

610670710

SAT Math

560610670

Location

Tacoma, WA

Campus Identity

Beach TownNCAA D3Greek LifePhD Programs

University of Puget Sound is a small private nonprofit university in Tacoma, WA. Approximately 1,594 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 72% acceptance rate. Lake Washington is about 20 miles from campus. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 31/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

Campus Lifestyle

University of Puget Sound is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics and a strong greek life Greek scene. The campus is 3 miles from Salmon Beach, WA and 51 miles from The Summit at Snoqualmie.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Northwest

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

3 miles

Salmon Beach, WA

Weather

Warm Climate

50°F avg school-year

Greek Life at University of Puget Sound

At University of Puget Sound, 23% of men are in a fraternity and 22% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only way into it. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.

23%

Men in fraternities

22%

Women in sororities

Strong Greek Life

Greek life scale

Nearby Ski Resorts

University of Puget Sound students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is The Summit at Snoqualmie, 51 miles away with 20 lifts and 1,994 skiable acres. All are within 51 miles of campus.

51 mi away
1,994 skiable acres20 lifts
Alpental

Washington

51 mi away
825 skiable acres5 lifts
51 mi away
2,600 skiable acres11 liftsNo Waffle Cabin

Beach Town

Students at University of Puget Sound are 3 miles from Salmon Beach, WA, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.

Salmon Beach, WA

Ocean access within 3.0 miles

3 mi away

Nearby Lake

Lake Washington is 20 miles from campus, giving University of Puget Sound students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Washington

Lake access within 20.1 miles

20 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Tacoma, WA

Tacoma has a cool climate, with winters averaging 42°F in Dec and summers peaking around 67°F in Jul.

43°Jan44°Feb47°Mar52°Apr58°May62°Jun67°Jul67°Aug62°Sep54°Oct47°Nov42°Dec

Station: TACOMA NUMBER 1 · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

University of Puget Sound in WA earns a composite safety score of 31/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

31/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety322537
32/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
25/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
37/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$62,898
Fees
$280
Room & Board
$16,380
Total
$79,558
App Fee: $65
$38,394avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

53 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
68 grads/yr$77,585
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsProfessional
56 grads/yr
Political Science and GovernmentBachelor's
46 grads/yr$52,278
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
43 grads/yr$61,919
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
37 grads/yr$52,645

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's19 grads$98,696
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Doctoral$85,925
Economics
Bachelor's22 grads$81,082
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Master's18 grads$79,192
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's68 grads$77,585
Education, General
Master's33 grads$77,402
Mathematics
Bachelor's10 grads$75,462
Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Master's8 grads$68,035
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Bachelor's grads$65,986
Psychology, General
Bachelor's43 grads$61,919

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of Puget Sound located?

University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA. The main campus address is 1500 N. Warner Street, Tacoma, WA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Puget Sound?

University of Puget Sound has an acceptance rate of 72%, making it moderately selective. Out of 5,239 applicants, 3,785 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,594 enrolled.

How many students attend University of Puget Sound?

University of Puget Sound enrolls 1,594 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

What ACT score do you need for University of Puget Sound?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Puget Sound scored between 27 and 31 on the ACT, with a median of 29. About 10% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend University of Puget Sound?

For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Puget Sound charges $62,898/year in tuition. Including room and board ($16,380/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $55,670/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $38,394/year — what students actually pay. Use University of Puget Sound's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for University of Puget Sound?

The undergraduate application fee at University of Puget Sound is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

What NCAA division is University of Puget Sound in?

University of Puget Sound competes in NCAA Division III, part of the Northwest. Division III programs compete without athletic scholarships and emphasize academics alongside varsity sport.

What percentage of students at University of Puget Sound are in Greek life?

At University of Puget Sound, 23% of men are in a fraternity and 22% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only route into it. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.

Is University of Puget Sound the right fit for me?

Whether University of Puget Sound is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (72% admit rate), avg net price ($38,394/year after aid), campus culture in Tacoma, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of Puget Sound against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of Puget Sound directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Tacoma, WA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Northwest
School Year Weather
Warm · 50°F avg
App Fee
$65
On Campus Safety Score
31/100
Nearest Airport
Tacoma, WA (TIW) · 5 mialso TCM (9 mi), GRF (14 mi)
Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.