Seattle University Acceptance Rate: Admission Requirements, GPA & SAT/ACT Scores
Seattle University acceptance rate, prerequisites for entrance, average GPA, SAT and ACT scores are criteria students need to consider to get into Seattle U. Let’s find out more about this information through the article below of Seattleducation.
About Seattle University

Seattle University (SeattleU) is a private Jesuit university in Seattle, Washington. Seattle University is the largest independent university in the Northwest United States. It has more than 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs in eight schools.
The University Campus consists of eight colleges:
- College of Arts & Science
- School of Theology & Ministry
- Albers School of Business & Economics
- School of New & Continuing Studies
- School of Law
- College of Education
- School of Nursing
- College of Science & Engineering
Out of 443 National Universities, Seattle University has the prestigious rank of #137. The universities are given a number based on their performance, which is measured by a set of widely accepted pointers of excellence. Other important rankings held by the University are:
- #54 as the Best Undergraduate Teaching
- #137 as the Best Value School
- #1001-1200 in the QS World University Rankings
- #121-130 in the US UNI
- #5 in the Top 20 Sports Law School Program
- #2 as the Best Universities in Seattle
Maybe you’ll like:
Seattle University Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Seattle University is a somewhat selective institution. The acceptance rate at Seattle U is around 83%. It is ranked #9 in Washington for having the lowest acceptance rate. Seattle University is an easy school to get into, and if you meet the requirements, you have a very good chance of being accepted.
The school has very high SAT and ACT score requirements for admission. Generally, students who score in the top 32 percent (SAT 1130/1330 and ACT 24/30) are accepted.
Seattle University usually accepts and attracts high school students with a B+ average and a GPA of 3.62 or higher. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school classes. 12% of those who were accepted decided to go to the school.
The ACT or SAT scores are not needed to get into Seattle University. If you submit in test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not required. 75% of students submitted SAT scores and 39% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year.
The Seattle University transfer acceptance rate also has a relatively low rate. In previous years, Seattle University received a total of 2,090 transfer applications. The school let in 1010 students. So, the rate of transfer acceptance at Seattle U is 48.33%. This shows how difficult it is to transfer to Seattle U.
Seattle University offers a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs for students to choose from. In order to be considered for admission, candidates must meet the acceptance criteria of the university. Even though there are a lot of parts to a college application, you should focus on only a few important things:
- GPA requirements
- Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
- Application requirements
The table below is a list of factors commonly considered in admissions decisions. You can consider to have the best preparation.
Admissions | |
Application Fee | $55 |
High School GPA | Required |
High School Rank | Recommended |
High School Transcript | Required |
College Prep Courses | Required |
Recommendations | Required |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
Application Deadline | Rolling |
Admission Test Scores | Considered but not Required |
Common Application Accepted | Yes |
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.) | Neither required nor recommended |
In addition to information about acceptance rate and admission requirements, you may be interested in Seattle University tuition fees. Read our article for more details: Seattle University Tuition Academic Year & Financial Aid 2022/2023
Seattle U Average GPA Requirements
Many schools have a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to get an application in without being immediately rejected.
Seattle University ranks #5 in Washington for the highest average GPA. To increase your chances of being accepted, you need to have a GPA of around 3.62 on the 4.0 scale and be above average in your high school class. You’ll need at least a mix of A’s and B’s, with more A’s than B’s. You can make up for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you can handle more difficult academic work than the average high school student.
If you are currently junior or senior, it will be hard to change your GPA in time for college applications. If your GPA is equal to or lower than the school average of 3.62, you’ll need a higher SAT or ACT score to make up for it. This will help you compete with other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
At Seattle University admissions, students’ GPAs fall in the following ranges.
High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range |
4.0 | 16% |
3.75 to 3.99 | 28% |
3.50 to 3.74 | 26% |
3.25 to 3.49 | 15% |
3.00 to 3.24 | 11% |
2.50 to 2.99 | 4% |
2.00 to 2.49 | 0% |
1.00 to 1.99 | 0% |
less than 1.00 | 0% |
Seattle University SAT & ACT Score Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized tests. Most schools require the SAT or the ACT, and many also need SAT subject tests.
To apply to Seattle University, you must take either the SAT or ACT. More importantly, you need to do well to have a good application.
SAT Grade Points Average
Many schools say they have no minimum SAT score, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school’s average score.
Here’s a breakdown of SAT scores by section:
Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Reading | 570 | 660 |
Math | 560 | 670 |
Composite | 1130 | 1330 |
- SAT Range: 1130-1330
- Applicants Submitting SAT: 75%
- Average SAT Score: 1230
At Seattle University, the average SAT score for Seattle University is 1230 on a scale of 1600 SAT. Seattle U ranks #5 in Washington and #202 in the nation for the highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is essential, as 75% of candidates submit SAT scores to the school.
The 25th percentile SAT score is 1130, and the 75th percentile score is 1330. In other words, a score of 1130 on the SAT puts you below average, while a score of 1330 will move you up to above average.
You can see your estimated chances of being accepted according to your SAT scores in the table below.
SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
1330 and Above | Good | >90% |
1230 to 1330 | Avg + | 83%-90% |
1130 to 1230 | Avg – | 72%-83% |
1030 to 1130 | Reach | 57%-72% |
Less than 1030 | Low | <57% |
ACT Grade Points Average
Just like with the SAT, Seattle University probably doesn’t have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will be thrown out.
Here’s the breakdown of ACT scores by section:
Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Reading | 23 | 31 |
Math | 23 | 28 |
Composite | 24 | 30 |
- ACT Range: 24-30
- Applicants Submitting ACT: 39%
- Average ACT Score: 27
The average ACT score at Seattle University is 27. The school ranks #5 in Washington and #204 in the U.S. for the highest average ACT composite score. 39 percent of applicants to Seattle University submit their ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score of 24, and the 75th percentile score is 30. Even though Seattle University probably says they don’t have a minimum ACT score, if you apply with a 24 or lower, you’ll have a harder time getting in unless you have something else on your application that stands out.
You can see your estimated chances of being accepted according to your ACT scores in the table below.
ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
30 and Above | Good | >90% |
27 to 30 | Avg + | 83%-90% |
24 to 27 | Avg – | 72%-83% |
21 to 24 | Reach | 57%-72% |
Less than 21 | Low | <57% |
help and support students

If you are interested in Seattle University’s admissions process, you can contact the school’s admissions office using the details below.
- Regular Hours
Monday – Tuesday: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday – Friday: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
- Address:
901 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
- Phone: (206) 220-8040
- Fax: (206) 296-5656
- Email: admissions@seattleu.edu
- Social media platforms:
Seattle University is a great choice for students who are looking for a diverse, engaging academic experience. With an acceptance rate of 83%, students have a good chance of getting into this prestigious university. For those looking to take their education to the next level, Seattle University is an excellent option. Start your application today and take the first step towards a bright future!