Seattle University Acceptance Rate
Seattle, Washington · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 8,976
- Admitted
- 6,826
- Yield
- 15.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Seattle University's acceptance rate has risen from 73.3% in 2014–15 to 76% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 7,392 to 8,976 (+21%) over that period.
Its 76% rate makes Seattle University more selective than about 51% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 19 tracked Washington schools, it is more selective than about 63%.
Seattle University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 15.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 7,392 | 5,422 | 73.3% | 927 |
| 2015–16 | 7,806 | 5,700 | 73% | 1,002 |
| 2016–17 | 8,141 | 5,994 | 73.6% | 986 |
| 2017–18 | 8,576 | 6,329 | 73.8% | 957 |
| 2018–19 | 8,640 | 6,536 | 75.6% | 1,083 |
| 2019–20 | 7,968 | 6,253 | 78.5% | 930 |
| 2020–21 | 7,914 | 6,587 | 83.2% | 805 |
| 2021–22 | 8,539 | 7,012 | 82.1% | 994 |
| 2022–23 | 7,934 | 6,756 | 85.2% | 1,004 |
| 2023–24 | 8,976 | 6,826 | 76% | 1,049 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 5,659 | 4,289 | 75.8% |
| Men | 3,317 | 2,537 | 76.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 570–670 | 24% |
| SAT Math | 560–680 | |
| ACT Composite | 23–30 | 6% |
How Seattle University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Seattle University's acceptance rate?
Seattle University's acceptance rate is 76% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,826 admitted of 8,976 applicants).
Is Seattle University test optional?
Seattle University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Seattle University?
Seattle University received 8,976 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,826.
What SAT score do you need for Seattle University?
Admitted students at Seattle University typically scored 570–670 on SAT Reading/Writing and 560–680 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Seattle University getting harder to get into?
Seattle University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 73.3% in 2014–15 to 76% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.seattleu.edu/.