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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 school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 72%. The freshman retention rate at University of Puget Sound is 84.02% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
The transfer application deadline is July 15.
To find out more about what University of Puget Sound has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,594
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$65,270
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Read on to find out some relevant information about admission policy and requirements at University of Puget Sound.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,785 in 2025. University of Puget Sound has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
31% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 10% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 24% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 44% between 1,200 and 1,399, 27% between 1,000 and 1,199, 4% between 800 and 999, and 0.74% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 39, 54 between 24-29, 7 in the range between 18-23, and 3 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 29 and the average GPA was 3.63. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 636 and an average SAT Math score of 621. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Puget Sound was 84.02%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by 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
Choosing a school that is the right match for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Puget Sound in 2025 was 1,864.
That year, the institution had 70.7% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 1,594, 7 of which were foreign students. 66 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 741 male and 1,050 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. There were 43 full-time graduate male and 178 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. 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 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 108, and the number of African American students was 50. 181 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 145 identified with more than one race. The school also had 9 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 32 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at University of Puget Sound that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Puget Sound? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition in 2025 was $65,270 for full-time domestic students. As University of Puget Sound is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $616.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,000.
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?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of Puget Sound was $16,450 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $8,660, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $9,526.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 65,270 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,450 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 82,720 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid available at University of Puget Sound.
The most recent records show that 277 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $53,518.
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.
There were 860 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 863. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $2,971,246, and state $1,320,602. The students of University of Puget Sound received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $36,429,734, and external in the amount of $1,342,333.
$28,971
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
140 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 44 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $20,175,250. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,202,493 USD.
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
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
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. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 243. This number included 95 male and 148 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of Puget Sound.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at University of Puget Sound is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about social life at University of Puget Sound.
Its campus spans 97 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only 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 is most favored by 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 interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. Interested in media and communication? University of Puget Sound publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Puget Sound offers a number of services vital for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical 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. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent 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 65,270 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 72%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Puget Sound is 84.02%.
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.
