Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks City University of Seattle #721 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $21,724 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 96.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks City University of Seattle #46 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- City University of Seattle's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars of return, access, and mobility. The institution earns about $21,724 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating consistent outcomes relative to peer institutions.
Azimuth ranks City University of Seattle #721 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Seattle, WA, City University of Seattle enrolls roughly 1,137 undergraduates. The institution enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 10.7% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 40.9% identifying as first-generation college students. Where City University of Seattle performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks City University of Seattle #46 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $83,698, and they earn about $21,724 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing City University of Seattle in the 96.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strong earnings performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field that consistently delivers solid early-career financial outcomes and positions graduates for sustained career growth. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite. City University of Seattle sits in the 1.1 percentile for access and the 2.2 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students who enroll, the institution's focus on practical, career-oriented education in business and related fields creates a direct pathway to employment and earnings growth. The combination of strong return on investment with meaningful access to Pell-eligible and first-generation students positions City University of Seattle as a solid choice for families seeking clear financial outcomes without the premium pricing of highly selective private institutions.
City University of Seattle's cost structure and financial aid shape affordability differently across income levels. The institution's net pricing reflects its private nonprofit status and Seattle's regional cost context. Low-income families, middle-income families, and higher-income families each experience distinct net-price figures based on demonstrated financial need and available institutional aid. Understanding how net price compares with the published cost of attendance — and how that translates to actual borrowing — is essential for families evaluating long-term affordability. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000. Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,040; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,698, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $61,662 would tighten monthly cash flow — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
City University of Seattle is a private nonprofit university in Seattle, WA that provides a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a career-focused education in the Pacific Northwest. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $83,698, placing City University of Seattle in the 87.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $21,724 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 96.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university's program mix is concentrated in Business, which represents 68% of graduates. Students whose interests align with these fields will find strong outcomes relative to Washington's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $36,819. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the university's program portfolio favors business-oriented fields over STEM or humanities, and Seattle's cost of living runs above the national average, affecting post-graduation budgeting for graduates who stay in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the City University Of Seattle hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Data not available for this income tier.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
City University of Seattle's cost structure and financial aid shape affordability differently across income levels. The institution's net pricing reflects its private nonprofit status and Seattle's regional cost context.
Low-income families, middle-income families, and higher-income families each experience distinct net-price figures based on demonstrated financial need and available institutional aid. Understanding how net price compares with the published cost of attendance — and how that translates to actual borrowing — is essential for families evaluating long-term affordability.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000. Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,040; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,698, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, four-year earnings of $61,662 would tighten monthly cash flow — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of City University of Seattle earn median 4-year earnings of $83,698, placing City University of Seattle in the 87.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. City University of Seattle sits in the 96.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks City University of Seattle #46 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to WA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $36,819.
The earnings pattern reflects City University of Seattle's concentration in business and professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 126 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $99,735, and Azimuth ranks the program [among nonprofit four-year institutions](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) for median earnings four years after enrollment.
Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology and Artificial Intelligence follow as substantial enrollment clusters, with Education, General rounding out the core program lineup. The institution's dominant focus on Business — representing 68% of degrees — drives consistent early-career outcomes and aligns with Seattle's professional services and technology-adjacent labor market.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
126 graduates
Education, General
11 graduates
City University of Seattle's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity in a major Pacific Northwest market. Business Administration is the largest program with 126 graduates, followed by Clinical, Counseling and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, and Education, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 170 students annually, the institution concentrates in applied business and professional pathways aligned with Seattle's regional labor market. Business Administration leads both in enrollment and earnings, with graduates earning median four-year earnings of $99,735.
Business Administration delivers the institution's highest four-year earnings at $99,735 with 126 graduates. The concentration in Business — representing Business of the institution's degree output — combined with strength in Education, positions City University of Seattle as a professional-credential provider where students enter the workforce directly into applied roles rather than pursuing graduate study.
These programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings capture meaningful labor-market outcomes rather than undercount trajectories requiring advanced degrees. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how City University of Seattle's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in business and professional services.
