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University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA
The University of Puget Sound, located in Tacoma, Washington, is a private liberal arts college renowned for its academic excellence and focus on student engagement. Founded in 1888, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, and music. With a low student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, students receive personalized attention from highly qualified professors who are committed to their success.
The campus of University of Puget Sound is spread over 97 acres, providing a picturesque and vibrant learning environment. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, laboratories, and a well-equipped library. The university also offers a variety of extracurricular activities and organizations, encouraging students to explore their passions and form lasting connections outside the classroom.
At Puget Sound, there is a strong emphasis on experiential learning, encouraging students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world situations. Internships, research opportunities, and community engagement projects are all integral parts of the educational experience. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through its support of multicultural student organizations and initiatives, creating a welcoming and inclusive campus for all students. Overall, University of Puget Sound provides a comprehensive liberal arts education that prepares students for success in their chosen professions and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
University of Puget Sound is a private university located in Tacoma, WA and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 76%. The freshman retention rate at University of Puget Sound is 80% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
The transfer application deadline is July 15.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about University of Puget Sound.
Quick Facts
1,632
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
76%
Acceptance Rate
$62,310
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Check out some vital info about admission policy and requirements at University of Puget Sound.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,232 in 2024. University of Puget Sound has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 29% and ACT scores 14%. 21% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 56% between 1,200 and 1,399, 20% between 1,000 and 1,199, 1% of the students between 800 and 999, and 0.74% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 44, 46 between 24-29, 8 in the range between 18-23, and 3 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 29 while the average GPA was 3.6. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Puget Sound; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 636 and an average SAT Math score of 621. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is July 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of Puget Sound was 80% in 2024, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the institution enrolled 1,914 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 72.6% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,632, 9 of which were international students. The school reported to have a total of 41 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 770 male and 1,084 female full-time students in 2024. 43 full-time graduate men and 178 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Puget Sound.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 105, while the number of African American students was 52. 169 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 146 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 36 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for University of Puget Sound is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $62,310 for all full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $588.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial element. Most students have to give about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at University of Puget Sound.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2024, the price of room and board at University of Puget Sound was $15,670 per academic year. If you only wanted a dorm room, it cost $8,250 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,078.
| Tuition | $ 62,310 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,670 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 78,980 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be very important for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid available at University of Puget Sound.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 269 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $47,606.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
874 students received some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 877. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $2,325,602, and state $1,200,778. The students of University of Puget Sound received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $32,424,592, and external in the amount of $1,254,227.
$26,609
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
139 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. 45 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $18,996,854. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,012,458 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Puget Sound was 10:1: that means 10 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 241 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 90 male and 153 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of Puget Sound.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at University of Puget Sound.
Its campus is 97 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 23 and female students 22. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Relay for Life, followed by Student Theatre Productions and Ka Ohana me ke Aloha. Other popular student organizations at this school are Repertory Dance Group and Puget Sound Outdoors.
If you're a fan of the performing arts, there is a drama club you can get involved in. You have a talent for media and communication? University of Puget Sound publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Puget Sound, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at University of Puget Sound is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Puget Sound.
Career Counselling
At University of Puget Sound, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for University of Puget Sound is 62,310 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Puget Sound is 76%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Puget Sound is 80%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.