Push Navigation Toggle Mobile Search Form Toggle Push Menu Toggle Breadcrumb Home About Puget Sound Facts & Rankings FACTS & RANKINGS IN THIS SECTION University of Puget Sound has earned a national reputation for excellent academics, value, campus culture, and more. Puget Sound is the only national independent liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor society. At-a-Glance Founded in 1888 by the United Methodist Church, Puget Sound is a residential, national liberal arts college with approximately 2,400 undergraduate and 200 graduate students. Seventy-four percent of Puget Sound students are from out of state; 46 states and territories and 8 countries are currently represented on campus. Nearly twenty-five percent of undergraduates identify as students of color. Students choose from more than 1,200 courses in 50 areas of traditional and interdisciplinary areas of study, with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Puget Sound is the only independent national undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington and the only in the Pacific Northwest with a School of Music and School of Business and Leadership. Puget Sound is one of only two independent colleges in Washington state and one of five in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the country’s most prestigious academic honor society. 50+ AREAS OF TRADITIONAL AND INTERDISCIPLINARY AREAS OF STUDY TOP 10 PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER PRODUCING INSTITUTION 1 OF 40 COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE Ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger, Washington Monthly, Forbes, The Princeton Review, and others. One of 40 “Colleges That Change Lives.” Named one of the Best 387 Colleges and Best Regional Colleges by The Princeton Review (2021). Ranked the 10th best liberal arts college in the country by Edsmart.org (2019). Ranked a top 35 best overall university in the West by Forbes (2019). A leading national institution for women who go on to earn doctoral degrees in STEM subjects, according to research by the Council of Independent Colleges and NORC at The University of Chicago (2019). One of the 20 most entrepreneurial colleges in the country, according to Forbes (2015). Named a “best value” school by U.S. News & World Report (2019, 2022) and featured on Money.com’s best colleges list (2019). Included among the best value schools in the West by College Factual and among the best values in Washington state, according to BestValueSchools.com (2020, 2019). Included in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition in recognition of the university’s commitment to the environment and sustainability. PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Small class sizes, award-winning professors, and our commitment to experiential learning set Puget Sound’s academic programs apart. Recognized among the "Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs" for national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report (2022). Nationally ranked programs in physical therapy, communications, political science (politics and government), psychology, art, and others by Niche.com (2020). Ranked top 15 in the country for cell biology and anatomical sciences by College Factual (2020). Among the best in the country for foreign language and linguistics, health and physical education, and geological and earth sciences, per College Factual (2020). A LEADER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Puget Sound is a leading destination for students interested in a rigorous liberal arts education in the Pacific Northwest region. Ranked the fourth best overall university in Washington by College Factual (2020). Ranked top five in the state for overall academics, professors, psychology, political science, biology, communications, and history according to Niche.com (2020). Among the best colleges in the Pacific Northwest, according to College Raptor (2018). >75 PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE 11:1 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO TOP 20 “MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUSES IN AMERICA” ACCORDING TO THE PRINCETON REVIEW AN ACCLAIMED RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS Puget Sound is known for its vibrant student life, as well as for being one of the most picturesque campuses in the country. Named one of the 20 “Most Beautiful Campuses in America” by The Princeton Review (2019). Awarded a four-star rating for institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs, and practices by the Campus Pride Index (2019). A top university in the country for student voting, per Washington Monthly (2019). Recognized with a Champion Campus Award from the All IN Campus Democracy Challenge for Highest Undergraduate Voting Rate, tied with Bowdoin College and The College of the Atlantic. More than 840 institutions enrolling close to 9 million students participated in the ALL IN Challenge. One of fewer than 100 universities designated as a “voter-friendly campus” by Campus Vote Project and NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (2017). Recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution (2021) for the 10th year. KUPS 90.1 The Sound, our student-run radio station, named one of the 15 best college radio stations by The Princeton Review, Best College Reviews, and Radio Survivor (2019). Tacoma was named one of the 50 best college towns in the U.S. by Best College Reviews (2019). EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OUTCOMES Judging by service or salary, Loggers are prepared for success after graduation. A top 10 Peace Corps volunteer-producing institution among small universities (2019). Among the highest Fulbright Scholar-producing small universities in the country (2019). A top Pacific Northwest university for salary potential, according to Payscale.com’s College Salary Report (2019). Among the highest salaries after graduation for Washington universities, per Puget Sound Business Journal (2017). Nationally ranked for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2019). Ranked in the top 7% of baccalaureate-granting institutions nationwide whose graduates go on to earn doctorates. Seven months after graduation, 93% of graduates are employed, continuing their education, and engaged in public service. ECONOMIC IMPACT The university, with a student population of 2,600, has nearly 700 full-time equivalent employees and directly contributes over $100 million to the local economy annually. This includes the salaries of its faculty and staff, the cost of construction projects, purchases of goods and services, local purchasing by students, and tourism revenue generated by the thousands of visitors to campus from across the nation. In addition, Puget Sound engages in intellectual, cultural and service projects that further enhance our community and the well-being of our region. More than 75% of students participate in community service, among the highest participation rates in the country. ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIPS The University of Puget Sound is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), an independent, non-profit membership organization recognized by the United States Department of Education. In addition to institutional accreditation from the NWCCU, the following programs have specialized accreditation or status: The Bachelor of Science Degree in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puget Sound is approved by the American Chemical Society The School of Education at the University of Puget Sound meets the standards of the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) for professional certification of teachers and school counselors. Effective Fall 2019 the Master of Education in Counseling program will require a 15-unit program of study that is consistent with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation standards. The University of Puget Sound is currently seeking this new accreditation. Pending approval of the accreditation process, candidates who graduate within 18 months from the time the first CACREP compliant cohort completes the program will be recognized as completing a CACREP program. The School of Music at the University of Puget Sound is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the accrediting agency designated by the United States Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of music curricula in higher education. In the field of teacher education, the NASM cooperates with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The NASM is also a constituent member of the American Council of Education. Baccalaureate programs accredited are the professional degrees in performance, music education, music with elective studies in business, and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music. The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. 301.652.2682. Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. The Physical Therapy program at the University of Puget Sound is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703.706.3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http//www.capteonline.org. Accreditation qualifies the physical therapy graduate to take the licensing examination offered by any of the 50 states. Enrolled or prospective students wishing to review documents describing the university’s accreditation may do so in the Associate Deans’ Office, Jones 212. BACK TO THE TOP VISIT APPLY GIVE UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, WA 98416 CONTACT US facebook Instagram linkedin twitter Youtube flickr CAMPUS MAP & DIRECTIONS SECURITY SERVICES EMERGENCY TITLE IX & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT FOR THE MEDIA CONSUMER INFORMATION & DISCLOSURES OFFICES & SERVICES © 2021 UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND SLATER MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY RACE AND PEDAGOGY INSTITUTE