About Seattle University

Seattle University Facts

  • Location

    Situated on 50 acres in Seattle’s First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, Seattle University is in the heart of one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.

    Description

    Seattle University is a nonprofit Jesuit, Catholic university founded in 1891 and one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S.

    Mission

    Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.

    President

    Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J.

    Top Rankings

    Seattle University is consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report and included in The Princeton Review's Best Colleges guide.

    Enrollment (Fall 2011)

    • 7,755 students; 60% are undergraduates
    • 95% of undergraduate students attend full-time
    • 41% of first-year students are from Washington state
    • 30% of are from ethnically diverse backgrounds
    • 7% are international students
    • 1,446 faculty and staff members

    Average Class Size

    • 25 students, all classes taught by faculty
    • Faculty to student ratio: 1 to 13

    Diversity

    Seattle University is among the most diverse independent universities in the West. Our students represent all 50 states and 77 nations.

    Academic Programs

    Seattle University offers an extensive array of programs—eight colleges and schools combine to provide nearly 80 undergraduate programs, more than 35 graduate programs and more than 20 certificate programs.

    Economic Impact

    Each year, Seattle University has a regional economic impact approaching $525 million.

    Service

    Three out of four Seattle University undergraduate students engage in community service, three times the national average. Students, faculty and staff contribute 200,000 hours of service annually.

    Alumni

    Seattle University has more than 67,000 alumni in all 50 states and 77 nations. Sixty-seven percent have remained in Washington, contributing to the state economy and talent pool after graduation.

    Financial Assistance (2011-2012)

    Undergraduate Student Aid

    Number of undergraduates with aid: 4,019 (86.8%)
    Average aid awarded per undergraduate recipient: $23,718

    Graduate Student Aid

    Number of non-law graduates with aid: 1,504 (70.6%)
    Average aid awarded per non-law recipient: $20,032

    Law School Student Aid

    Number of law students with aid: 929 (92.9%)
    Average aid awarded per law student: $46,214

    Financial

    • Operating budget: $190 million
    • Total payroll: $92 million