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City University of Seattle

Seattle, WA·Private nonprofit·1,137 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,137 students.

N/A
Accept
1,137
Students
N/A
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$53,400
Earnings
10 yr
$25,000
Debt

About This School

City University of Seattle is a private nonprofit institution located in Seattle, Washington with approximately 1,137 undergraduate students enrolled. Typical graduates earn $53,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

The City University of Seattle (CityU) is a private, non-profit university in Seattle, Washington, United States. City University was founded in 1973 as City College by a group of business leaders and educators in the Seattle area led by Michael A. Pastore with an original mission dedicated to providing higher education for working adults. In 1982, City College changed its name to City University of Seattle. Since then, the university has grown to consist of undergraduate and graduate programs across six areas: the School of Management; the Albright School of Education; the Division of Arts and Sciences; the Division of Doctoral Studies; the International College; and the Washington Academy of Languages. In 2013, CityU became affiliated with National University System, a private nonprofit university system.

The numbers here tell a concerning story — a 17% graduation rate and a 0% freshman retention rate are serious red flags that suggest most students who start here don't finish, which should give any prospective student pause. On the brighter side, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $14,091, and the school has a long-standing focus on working adults seeking flexible, career-oriented education. Worth considering only if you have a very specific program in mind and a clear plan to stay enrolled — but compare your options carefully before committing to the $35,049 average annual cost.

Founded
1973
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$7,147

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing46%
Education11%
Computer Science10%
Psychology6%
Health Professions4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
N/A
Out-of-State Tuition
N/A
Avg Net Price
N/A
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants11%
Median debt at graduation$25,000

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$62,000
Female graduates$42,900

Gap: 31% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$48,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.1x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White16%
Black8%
Hispanic/Latino61%
Asian6%
Two or more races2%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander1%
International3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,137 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

City University of Seattle

521 Wall Street, Suite 100

Seattle, WA 98121

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Washington

Browse all Washington schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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