The Area/City: Seattle is a dynamic, globally connected city with a thriving tech economy (home to companies like Amazon and Microsoft) and a cultural legacy that includes world-famous music, food, and arts scenes. It’s also a place where outdoor adventures are never far: hiking trails, ski slopes, and waterways are all within a short drive, meaning students can go from classes to kayaking on Lake Washington in a single afternoon. The vibe is progressive, creative, and career-oriented. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is 15 miles away from campus, accessible by light rail, Amtrak, or rideshare options.
The Campus/Students: Seattle University’s campus sits near the eclectic Capitol Hill and First Hill neighborhoods, both known for lively food scenes, coffee shops, music venues, art spaces, and walkable streets. The traditional campus is compact and modern, with tree-lined paths and open green spaces (including a number of reflective spaces like a popular labyrinth). Step just outside the gates, however, and you’re immediately surrounded by coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, music venues, and public transit. Students often say it feels like having a traditional campus inside a real city rather than being separated from it, and students move between classes, cafés, and the city with ease.
The university enrolls about 4,000 undergraduates and a diverse mix of graduate and professional students (7,000 total students). Class sizes are very small, fostering close interactions with professors and a sense of community.
With 180+ student clubs and organizations, students connect through interests such as culture, advocacy, leadership, recreation, and the arts. The Student Center and campus programs host concerts, performances, and events year-round. The student body is known for being socially engaged, inclusive, and active--from cultural festivals to service initiatives and sustainability efforts rooted in the university’s Jesuit mission.
SU fields NCAA Division I athletics as the Redhawks, providing spirited competition across multiple sports. While this isn’t a big Greek-life campus, students who want connection, involvement, and meaningful experiences tend to find their niche quickly.
Support services include academic advising, health and wellness resources, recreation facilities, and interfaith programming--all designed to foster well-being and belonging in an urban setting. Students describe the vibe as friendly, engaged, and purpose-driven. There’s a strong sense that people here care about what they’re studying and how they’ll use it after graduation.
Academics: Seattle University offers a broad range of undergraduate programs with particular strengths in business, nursing, engineering, computer science, biology, psychology, and environmental studies. More than 60 undergraduate majors and 30+ graduate programs are available across colleges, including the Albers School of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Science and Engineering, and School of Law.
SU’s Jesuit values emphasize whole-person education, integrating rigorous academics with ethics, community engagement, critical thinking, and real-world learning. Many students benefit from study-abroad options in 40+ countries and hands-on experiences through internships, community service, and research projects--all supported by faculty who are deeply accessible and invested in student success. Collaboration is valued over competition.
Popular and well-regarded programs include:
Business, Finance, and Marketing
Computer Science, Engineering, and Data Analytics
Nursing and Health Sciences
Psychology, Social Sciences, and the Humanities
The Jesuit philosophy focuses on educating the “whole person,” which means students are encouraged to reflect on why they’re learning something, not just on how to do it. Many courses include applied projects, internships, research, or community-based learning built directly into the curriculum.
Cost: The estimated total cost of attendance (tuition, room and board, fees, travel, etc) for 2025-26 is approaching $80,000, but SU offers generous financial aid and merit scholarships. Nearly 61% of students without need receive merit awards averaging around $27,000 each.
Seattle U offers a values-driven education that blends rigorous academics, personalized attention, and a close-knit community, along with abundant professional and community engagement opportunities from its location in one of the nation’s most vibrant cities.
Visit SU’s website to learn more and see if it’s a good fit for you.