Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Seattle University #681 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,394 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Seattle University in the 83.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Seattle University #246 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Seattle University #681 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private doctoral/professional university in Seattle, WA, Seattle University enrolls roughly 4,062 undergraduates. Retention is 84.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 75.5%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Seattle University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Seattle University #246 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,426. They earn about $8,394 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Seattle University in the 83.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program mix centers on Business, which aligns well with Seattle's regional labor market and drives strong early-career financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Seattle University sits in the 39.9 percentile for access and the 12.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 23.6% Pell-eligible students and 19.4% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a moderately selective admissions posture. As a private institution with a higher sticker price, Seattle University's affordability ranking reflects the cost structure typical of private doctoral universities, though need-based aid shapes the actual net price for many families. Mobility outcomes sit in the 56.9 percentile, indicating that graduates move into stable, well-paying careers at rates comparable to peer institutions.
Seattle University's published cost of attendance is $72,124. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $22,896, low-middle-income families pay around $24,523, middle-income families pay about $26,977, middle-high-income families pay approximately $36,967, and higher-income families pay around $42,737. Azimuth ranks Seattle University #1246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Seattle University's aid structure combines need-based grants, merit scholarships, and federal and private loan options. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions. Families should review the institution's financial aid page for current aid policies, merit scholarship eligibility, and work-study availability. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,883, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,520; 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 $79,426, median federal debt of $19,883 projects to a monthly payment of about $225 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Seattle University is a strong fit for students drawn to business and related fields who want a private university experience in Seattle, WA. The university's program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 21% of degrees. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,426, placing Seattle University in the 86.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $8,394 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 83.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 23.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.4% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $42,737, with median federal debt at graduation of $19,883. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 76.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business-oriented fields. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes in WA's regional labor market, where earnings compare favorably to the no-degree baseline of $36,819.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Seattle University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Computer Science
75 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
13 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics
17 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
89 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
43 graduates
Seattle University's program mix is anchored in business, health professions, and applied professional fields — a portfolio shaped by the institution's Jesuit mission and Seattle's strong regional job market. Nursing is the largest program with 232 graduates annually, followed by Psychology, General, Finance, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing.
Across 47 programs serving roughly 1,358 students annually, several deliver strong earnings outcomes that align with regional employer demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and health fields.
Computer Science graduates earn median earnings of $128,314 four years after enrollment, while Finance graduates earn $99,791 and Accounting graduates earn $97,466. Mechanical Engineering and Nursing round out the highest-earning programs with graduates earning $96,218 and $90,918 respectively.
These outcomes correspond to the institution's concentration in Business (representing 21% of graduates), Engineering (representing 7%), and Arts (representing 5%), which tend to lead to stable, well-compensated careers. Several of these programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect labor-market outcomes in competitive fields.
Others, particularly in health professions and some applied sciences, represent fields with strong regional demand and clear career pipelines. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Seattle University's dominant program families align with Seattle's diversified economy and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Webster University Similar quality tier (#16895 ranked) | MO | 86% | $50,876 | #16895 | Compare |
Norwich University Similar quality tier (#16900 ranked) | VT | 74% | $65,575 | #16900 | Compare |
University Of Scranton Similar quality tier (#16902 ranked) | PA | 81% | $74,652 | #16902 | Compare |
Valparaiso University Similar quality tier (#16936 ranked) | IN | 89% | $63,191 | #16936 | Compare |
University Of Dayton Similar quality tier (#16939 ranked) | OH | 65% | $75,537 | #16939 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Seattle University's published cost of attendance is $72,124. Net price by income band varies meaningfully across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $22,896, low-middle-income families pay around $24,523, middle-income families pay about $26,977, middle-high-income families pay approximately $36,967, and higher-income families pay around $42,737.
Azimuth ranks Seattle University #1246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Seattle University's aid structure combines need-based grants, merit scholarships, and federal and private loan options. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions.
Families should review the institution's [financial aid page](https://www.seattleu.edu/financial-aid/) for current aid policies, merit scholarship eligibility, and work-study availability. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,883, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $37,520; 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 $79,426, median federal debt of $19,883 projects to a monthly payment of about $225 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Seattle University earn median 4-year earnings of $79,426, placing Seattle University in the 86.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,394 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Seattle University in the 83.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Seattle University #246 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Seattle University's strength in business and professional fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 232 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $90,918, and Azimuth ranks the program 1.0× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The Psychology, General program graduates 90 students earning median 4-year earnings of $57,993, while Finance and Computer Science round out the top programs with four-year earnings in the $99,791 and $128,314 range respectively.
Business represents the institution's primary academic focus, driving consistent outcomes across the graduate cohort.
