Founded in 1888 in the vibrant Pacific Northwest port city of Tacoma, University of Puget Sound is an independent, residential, and predominantly undergraduate liberal arts college. Renowned as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, we are proud that our community is a reflection of our campus. As a university with an emphasis for hands-on learning opportunities, we like to say that a Puget Sound education is not something you get, but something you do.
Learning doesn't stop in the classroom, though. It extends far beyond, into individual programs, residence life, clubs, and athletics. Students come from all over the country and the world, bringing together disparate backgrounds and experiences as part of the Logger community. Put together, Puget Sound offers a small community of independent thinkers, a launch pad for adventurers, and an incubator for entrepreneurs. We are makers, shakers, and doers – and we never stop learning.
About
From the School
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Campus Visit Coordinator
1500 N. Warner St.
Tacoma, WA 98416-1062
Experience College Life
Glass gazebo Oppenheimer Caf?
Collins Memorial Library rocking chairs
Science Center atrium
Theme House Row
Other highlights include 97-acre Tudor Gothic campus with views of Mt. Rainier, Commencement Walk, athletic facilities, student center, arboretum, and observatory.
Pt. Defiance Park with zoo and aquarium
National parks (Olympic and Mt. Rainier)
Seattle and the Pacific Northwest
Ruston Way (waterfront, bike path)
The creative urban city of Tacoma is nestled between two mountain ranges and the shore of Puget Sound, close to SeaTac airport, and the cultural and entrepreneurial offerings of Seattle.
Campus Tours
9am - 4pm
253-879-3211
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours
On Campus Interview
Faculty and Coach Visits
Class Visits
Overnight Dorm Stays
Transportation
Admissions
Admissions
Overall
From The School
University of Puget Sound uses a holistic admission process, looking for intellectually engaged individuals passionate about actively participating in the Puget Sound community. We look beyond just numbers on the page, seeking to understand your experience and background. With every new class, we welcome diverse worldviews, wide-ranging interests, and novel life experiences to campus.
We are a Common Application school – to apply, please complete the Common App, including the essay and $65 application fee before the appropriate deadline. We are also a Test-Optional institution, so test scores are not required.
Application Checklist:
- Common Application and $65 application fee
- School Report – complete your portion and give to a counselor or administrator
- Counselor and Teacher Evaluation – One letter of recommendation from each
- High School Transcript
- (Optional) Interview
Application Deadlines:
- Early Action: November 1
- Early Decision (Binding): November 1
- Regular Decision: January 15
Overview
GPA Breakdown
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Learn MoreSAT & ACT Test Scores
(enrolled students)
(enrolled students)
Testing Policies
Deadlines
Early Decision — November 1
Early Action — November 1
Regular — January 15
Other Admission Factors
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Application Essay
Character / Personal Qualities
Selectivity Rating
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Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Overall
From The School
Academic Programs
At Puget Sound, we believe that an education isn't something you get; it's something you do. Our students are engaged in active inquiry and critical analysis that encourage a rich knowledge of self and others, an appreciation for civil discourse and exchange of ideas, and a lifetime of intellectual curiosity. Class sizes are kept small, to maximize the level of interaction between you, your peers, and your professors.
Your Puget Sound core experience begins with two first-year seminars that guide students through an in-depth exploration of a focused area of interest, sharpening skills in constructing persuasive arguments. Over the course of the first three years at Puget Sound, you will also study five "Approaches to Knowing" – Artistic, Humanistic, Mathematical, Natural Scientific, and Social Scientific. These core areas will help you cultivate an understanding of different disciplinary approaches and their limitations. You will cap off your Puget Sound experience with "Connections", an upper-level integrative course that challenges the traditional boundaries of disciplines and examines the benefits and limits of interdisciplinary perspectives and knowledge.
Majors and Degrees Offered
Puget Sound's approach to learning is interdisciplinary and innovative, with more than 50 areas of study to choose from. We are one of the few liberal arts institutions with a School of Business and Leadership seamlessly integrated into the liberal arts experience. At Puget Sound, you'll develop core skills in areas like critical thinking, writing, and communication through a wide breadth of studies. Classes are kept small, thanks to our 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and teaching is the priority for our faculty members; they take a collaborative approach to learning and are generous with their time.
Additionally, Puget Sound has a number of graduate programs, including a School of Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and a Masters in Public Health.
Faculty and Class Information
Graduation Rates
Majors
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AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.
African-American/Black Studies.
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other.
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BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology.
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BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business Administration and Management, General.
International Business/Trade/Commerce.
Management Information Systems, General.
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COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
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COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
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EDUCATION.
Music Teacher Education.
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ENGINEERING.
Pre-Engineering.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
Creative Writing.
English Language and Literature, General.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
Chinese Language and Literature.
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Japanese Language and Literature.
Spanish Language and Literature.
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HISTORY.
History, General.
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MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
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MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Biological and Physical Sciences.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Natural Sciences.
Science, Technology and Society.
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NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
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PARKS, RECREATION, LEISURE, AND FITNESS STUDIES.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
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PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Geology/Earth Science, General.
Physics, General.
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PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
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SOCIAL SCIENCES.
American Government and Politics (United States).
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.
Political Economy.
Political Science and Government, General.
Sociology and Anthropology.
Sociology.
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VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Keyboard Instruments.
Music Performance, General.
Music Theory and Composition.
Music, General.
Painting.
Printmaking.
Sculpture.
Voice and Opera.
Students Say
Degrees
Doctoral/Professional
Master's
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Academic Rating
Careers
Graduation Rates
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Overview
From The School
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees
Tuition for the 2020-21 year totals $51,470. Room and board costs $13,480. The Student Government Fee is $280.
Financial Aid
University of Puget Sound offers two types of financial assistance to students at Puget Sound: Need-based financial aid and Non-need based financial aid.
Need-based financial aid is awarded to students whose families do not have sufficient financial resources to pay for college as determined by the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Grants, loans, and work-study employment opportunities are all examples of need-based financial aid.
Non-need based financial aid is awarded to students without regard to financial need. Academic, talent, or achievement awards are all examples of non-need based aid. This year, academic scholarships range up to $30,000.
Puget Sound gives more than $50 million each year in financial aid and scholarships, and the average scholarship/aid package is around $35,000 for families.
Dates
Required Forms
Financial Aid Statistics
Expenses per Academic Year
Available Aid
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Financial Aid Rating
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
From The School
There's a place for everyone on Puget Sound's campus, with endless opportunities to find your passion here – whether in the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest or the DIY ethos of Tacoma's creative spaces. Inclusivity and equity are paramount to the way we approach teaching, learning, and living. Our 2,300 undergraduate students come from over 40 states and nearly a dozen countries from around the world, with all kinds of different backgrounds and experiences.
Students at Puget Sound tend to be active and involved in a variety of different ways. ASUPS, or the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound, draws a lot of active engagement. ASUPS offers an incredible way to become directly involved in student government, representing the student body in meetings with the university's administration; or facilitating new student organizations and programming.
Speaking of student organizations, Puget Sound possesses over 150 different clubs and organizations you can join, covering things from Photography, to Bioethics, to Grill Tennis. And if you can't find a club that fits your interest, it's easy to start up a new one with support from ASUPS.
You can also bring your school spirit – Puget Sound is a NCAA Division III athletics school, with more than 20 varsity teams competing in a wide range of sports and conferences. If varsity athletics aren't your thing, you can join an intermural or club team and have some more casual athletic fun!
Student Body Profile
Demographics
Students Say
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
From The School
Location
Situated in Tacoma, Washington, University of Puget Sound's home is quintessential Pacific Northwest – a mix of low-key cafes, enchanting art museums, and laid-back music venues. Campus itself is located in the North End Neighborhood, a primarily residential area with easy access to some of the best shops, eateries, and coffeehouses in the city just a short walk from campus. Lurking ever-present in the background of Puget Sound is the magnetic pull of Mount Rainier, the ocean, and the rain forests. Together with Tacoma's vibrant community, it won't take long to create a four-year agenda not just of outings, but also of research experiences in the area.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
Puget Sound's 97-acre campus is located in the North End neighborhood of Tacoma, with an abundance of beautiful greenery on and surrounding campus. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore around campus, from the lovely shade of towering trees in the President's Arbor to the state-of-the-art labs in the Science Center and Weyerhauser Hall. Puget Sound is a primarily residential University, asking students to live on campus for at least two years in our residence halls, group houses, or suites.
The Wheelock Student Center is the heart and center of campus, hosting the Counseling and Wellness Services, a student-run pizza shop, the KUPS radio station, and offices for student government. Wheelock is also home to the café Diversions, and The Diner, where most students will eat meals. We take our coffee and tea pretty seriously at Puget Sound, so you will also find two more cafes on campus offering a quick beverage or snack on the go.
Our Athletics and Aquatics Center was remodeled in 2016, offering an incredible pool and spacious fitness center attached to the University's historic Memorial Fieldhouse. Just across the street is Baker Stadium, the Loggers' home field, capable of seating the entire student body.
Off-Campus Opportunities
With over 100 different study abroad programs to participate in across 6 different continents, students at University of Puget Sound have boundless opportunities to further explore the world. While programs are primarily a semester in length, we do offer both shorter and longer term programs as well; including our renowned year-long Pacific Rim Program which visits numerous Asian countries for weeks at a time.
Campus Life
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Other
Theme Housing
Wellness Housing
Students Say
Special Needs Admissions
Documentation Required for LD
The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that the evaluation and report are appropriate for documenting eligibility. All materials submitted will be evaluated in terms of the following minimum standards. ? The documentation must be prepared by a professional qualified by education and experience to diagnose learning disabilities, which would include but not be limited to a licensed neuropsychologist or psychologist, learning disability specialist or other appropriate professional certified to administer such tests as those identified below. Experience in evaluation of young adults with learning disabilities is essential. ? The evaluative measures used must be comprehensive and statistically valid and reliable. One test is not acceptable for the purpose of diagnosis. All tests administered must be the most recent version at the time administered, age appropriate, nationally normed, and individually administered. Aptitude Tests: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale with all subtest scores is preferable. The Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery IV: Tests of Cognitive Ability is acceptable. Achievement Tests: Current levels of functioning in all areas in which accommodations are requested are required. Acceptable instruments include the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery IV: Tests of Achievement, Stanford Test of Academic Skills (TASK), or specific achievement tests such as the Tests of Written Language-3 (TOWL-3), Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests Revised, or the Stanford Diagnostic Mathematics Test. (Neither the Wide Range Achievement Test Revised nor The Slingerland High School Screening Test is acceptable.) Information Processing: Specific areas of information processing (e.g., short and long term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception/processing, processing speed) must be assessed. Use of subtests from the WAIS-IV or the WJ-R Tests of Cognitive Ability is acceptable. These guidelines are not intended to be an exhaustive list or to restrict assessment in other pertinent and helpful areas such as vocational interest, aptitudes, and learning styles.Documentation Required for ADHD
Students who are disability accommodations on the basis of a diagnosis of AD/HD are required to submit documentation to verify eligibility. Documentation of AD/HD consists of the provision of professional testing and evaluation and a written report that addresses specific academic needs of the student. The following guidelines are provided in the interest of assuring that the evaluation and report are appropriate for documenting eligibility: - The report should be prepared by a qualified professional (e.g., licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician) - Present clear and specific evidence, which identifies the individual?s present level of functioning and how the student?s education may be impacted. The report should include: - How long the diagnostician has treated the student and the date of last contact - Instruments, procedures, and data sources used to diagnose - Current symptoms that satisfy the DSM-IV or DSM-IV-TR criteria and approximate onset - DSM-5 diagnosis - Treatment being used (e.g., medication, counseling, etc.) - How this disorder impacts the student in the post-secondary environment - Diagnostician?s name, title, license number, address, and phone numberSpecial Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Sports
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Cheerleading
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Pacific Lutheran University
Sustainability
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security