Seattle University

What it reported doing in 2024

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit, Catholic university located on a beautiful campus of more than 55 acres in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our diverse and inclusive campus is comprised of more than 7,100 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within six schools and colleges. In the 2024-25 academic year, Seattle University awarded 1089 bachelor's degrees or equivalents, 137 post-baccalaureate certificates, 748 master's degrees, 1 post-master's certificates, and 286 doctoral degrees. Awards and high rankings for academic rigor, sustainability, community service and social justice are among the university's touchstones of excellence. SU ranks among the top universities for its academics, student-centered teaching, Community Engaged Learning and leadership in sustainability. It ranked in the Top 16 percent of universities nationally-and #23 in the West-in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking 2021. The Princeton Review continues to recognize the university as one of the best colleges in the nation for undergraduate education, according to its Best Colleges guide. Additionally, Seattle University is well represented in the 2022-2023 undergraduate and graduate rankings from U.S. News & World Report's "Best National Universities" rankings. Three Seattle University colleges rank highly and above many of its peers nationally, specifically in areas of business, nursing, computer science and engineering. The Albers School of Business and Economics ranks as the 4th best undergraduate business college in Washington and within the top three in the state in the specialty areas of analytics (#1), finance (#2) and accounting (#3). The College of Nursing ranks as the 4th best nursing college in Washington. The university's fastest growing college, the College of Science and Engineering, ranks 2nd in Washington among engineering departments not offering doctorates. In computer science, Seattle University ranks in the top one-third in the state. College Factual's 2025 rankings place Seattle University in the Top 2 of all Washington schools and in the Top 15 percent nationally. Among Seattle University's academic programs, College Factual ranked many in the top 15 percent or better nationally, including undergraduate programs in public administration, nursing, social work, marketing, computer and information sciences, accounting, biochemistry and business administration. On the graduate level: education, special education, criminal justice, clinical counseling and business management and marketing. The university is featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022 edition. The selective guide highlights the "best and most interesting schools" in the U.S., noting in reference to SU "Jesuit tradition guarantees a nurturing environment and student growth both academically and in community service." Seattle University is recognized by the 2021-22 Colleges of Distinction for its commitment to engaged, experiential education. Colleges of Distinction universities set themselves apart through a dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Seattle University has excelled at having students graduate and enter the workforce with solid, well-developed critical thinking skills as well as the ability to adapt in an ever-changing society. Seattle University also received specialized recognition for its business, education, engineering and nursing academic programs and for its work in career development, equity and inclusion and support for veterans. The national honor society Phi Theta Kappa has recognized SU among four-year institutions for its work to attract and support transfer students. SU was the only university in the Pacific Northwest and one of only two on the West Coast to be included in the 2018 "Transfer Honor Roll." Seattle University students have a strong track record of achieving academic honors, including two Rhodes Scholars, many Truman Scholars, Udall Scholars and Fulbright recipients.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.8%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 84.9%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $26.35 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 95%; rating input score 95; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 1 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 12
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 19.8%; rating input score 87; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.65; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.19; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.4%; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.7% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 30th percentile among comparable filings