Admit rate has ranged 76%–88% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
University of Puget Sound is a small, rigorous liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, where students dive into 1,200+ courses across 50 majors amid a stunning Pacific Northwest backdrop. Known for its supportive professors, vibrant student activism, and strong outcomes (90% employed or in grad school), it’s a place where the liberal arts ethos meets real-world impact—with a side of evergreen views.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,594
In-state tuition
$62,898
Out-of-state tuition
$62,898
Location
Tacoma, WA
Popular Majors
Social Sciences (18%), Business (14%)
Acceptance Rate
72-76%
Graduation Rate
68% (6-year)
Student-Faculty Ratio
Not stated in sources
Financial Aid Recipients
65% of undergraduates
Median Early-Career Salary
$69,590
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$69,594
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
68%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
82%
Pell (lower-income) share
29%
First-generation share
12%
Endowment / student
$295,777
Financial health
2.8 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$41,789
Computer Science$41,565
Economics$41,565
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$38,289
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$37,568
Communication and Media Studies$33,993
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
8
Per 1,000 students
5.02
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
122
Summer high
76°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
47.5"
Annual snow
13"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
301
Scholarly works
6,801
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.7%
Bottom → top quintile
32%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound's acceptance rate is approximately 72% (Tacoma, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Puget Sound?
Admitted students at University of Puget Sound typically score 1170–1380 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Puget Sound cost?
At University of Puget Sound, the average net price (after aid) is about $38,394 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Puget Sound?
University of Puget Sound enrolls approximately 1,594 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Puget Sound located?
University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA.
Admissions
Puget Sound is somewhat selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 72-76%—well above the national average. Middle 50% test scores land at SAT 1170-1380 (Math 560-670) or ACT 27-31, though the university has moved toward Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies. Only 12% of admitted students boast a 4.0+ GPA, suggesting a focus on Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone.. The admissions office emphasizes outreach, offering personalized support via email (admission@pugetsound.edu) and phone.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Psychology, General$32,332
English Language and Literature, General$31,848
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Puget Sound’s 1,200-course curriculum spans 50 majors and minors, blending traditional liberal arts with interdisciplinary flexibility. Popular majors include Social Sciences (18%) and Business (14%), but the school shines in niche areas like its vibrant Community Music program. Professors are repeatedly praised for being “brilliant and supportive”, with a culture that encourages undergraduate research. The graduation requirement of a 2.0 GPA belies the rigor—students describe being “challenged but not overwhelmed” in a collaborative environment.
Life here is active and outdoorsy, with students raving about the “most beautiful campus in Washington” (think towering evergreens and mountain views). Over 100 clubs range from Students for a Sustainable Campus to Relay for Life, reflecting a politically engaged student body. The School of Music hosts public performances, while TikTok tours highlight place-based gratitude for the Pacific Northwest setting. It’s a tight-knit community where “everyone finds their niche”, whether through activism, music, or hiking trips.
Puget Sound delivers strong ROI: 90% of the Class of 2025 secured jobs or grad school placements within six months, with a median salary of $69,590 for federally aided graduates. Alumni who engaged in experiential learning saw an 80% employment rate (vs. 66% for peers). The six-year graduation rate is 68%, and mid-career salaries average $58,376—outpacing many liberal arts colleges. Princeton Review has named it a “Best Value” for balancing cost and outcomes.
The sticker price is steep, but 65% of students receive Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., with first-year packages averaging $55,121 in scholarships/grants. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps families estimate costs, blending scholarships, grants, and loans. Notably, 64% of first-years get aid, though the school doesn’t guarantee full need met. The median debt load is unclear, but outcomes suggest graduates manage it: salaries 5 years out (~$58k) surpass national averages.
Puget Sound merges Pacific Northwest charm with academic punch. Its small classes, activist energy, and stunning setting attract students who want more than just a degree—they want to engage deeply, whether through research, music, or sustainability work. The 90% post-grad success rate proves the liberal arts model works here, especially for students who leverage its professor mentorship and Tacoma’s urban-natural hybrid vibe. It’s a college for those who think critically—and hike often.
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