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Colleges / Seattle University

Seattle University

Seattle, WA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate82%

Seattle University Tuition Information

In 2022, Seattle University's tuition was $53,235 a year.

Tuition increased 5.78% in 2023–from $50,328 the previous year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket feel more doable until after graduation.

Seattle University meets 79.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Seattle University full-time are awarded $45,549 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $24,995 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Seattle University

Seattle University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of Washington as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Washington colleges

Tuition for International Students at Seattle University

Tuition at Seattle University is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Seattle University:

•Athletic Awards •Seattle University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Seattle University Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Seattle University.

Room and Board Costs at Seattle University

Room and board at Seattle University is $13,524 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Seattle University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Seattle University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Seattle University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city is sometimes pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Seattle Universityis in a city in Washington, near Seattle.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Financial Breakdown for Seattle University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Seattle University.

Total Cost of Seattle University

What will the cost of attending Seattle University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $53,235
Room and Board $13,524
Other expenses $2,018

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $70,727
Off-Campus $55,185

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Seattle University Financial Aid


The majority of Seattle University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 2,182 of the 4,301 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Seattle University meets 79.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $45,549 a year. Around 74.18% of Seattle University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Seattle University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,995 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $19,154
Private Loans $0
Most Common Loans for Seattle University Students
Federal Loans 73.8%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Seattle University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Seattle University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Seattle University awarded 1,646 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $59.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $48.77 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Seattle University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Seattle University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Seattle University was $45,549 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Seattle University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $25,178
Off-Campus $9,636

What will attending Seattle University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Seattle University's net cost calculator on their website.

Seattle University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Seattle University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Seattle University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Seattle University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Seattle University's endowment, check with the school directly. For each full-time student, Seattle University spends about $16,434 a year.


Learn More About Seattle University


To learn more about Seattle University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about Seattle University in the College Confidential forums

Seattle University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$68,709

In State

$68,709

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$53,235
$53,235
Fees
$1,050
$1,050
Housing
$13,524
$13,524
Books
$900
$900

Seattle University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

42%

Average Financial Aid Package

$44,429

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

7,268

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

82%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$54,285

Out-of-State

$54,285

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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