Best in Seattle

Seattle is one of the world’s most vibrant cities and for those following their higher education goals in the Emerald City, there’s no better place to be than Seattle University, according to the most recent Research.com Best College rankings.

In the 2027 rankings, Seattle University is rated as the best college in Seattle and the best private college in Washington state—and the #2-rated college overall in the state.

Research.com bases its rankings on measurable factors such as academic quality (graduation and acceptance rates, student success metrics), affordability (tuition costs, financial aid availability), return on investment (alumni earnings, job placement outcomes) and other factors such as enrollment size and selectivity. The data is then scored to determine the rankings.

Seattle University was also ranked as:

• The #3 Best Value in Washington and #10 Best Private College in the West.
• In the top 35 among Best Colleges in the West and Top 50 among Best Value Colleges in the West
• •In the Top 70 Most Popular Colleges in the West and Top 85 Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

The Research.com rankings continue a strong run of recognition for Seattle University.

Earlier this year the Princeton Review included SU in its list of Best Value Colleges after previously listing Seattle University among its Best in the West, Best Green and Best Overall colleges. U.S. News & World Report ranked SU as the best value college in Washington among national universities and the #2 private college in Washington. Additionally, SU’s Business Analytics and Marketing programs ranked in the Top 25 nationally and #1 in the state, while Accounting, Finance and Engineering (No Doctorate) landed in the Top 50 nationally.

Niche rated SU the #1 Catholic College in Washington (#27 nationally) and ranked the Nursing and Criminal Justice programs as tops in the state and in the Top 80 nationally. Seattle University was also ranked #3 nationally in the Procurement and Waste category of the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index and the School of Law received an A+ and was named to The National Jurist’s Technology Law Honor Roll.