University of Puget Sound vs. Washington State

Deciding between University of Puget Sound and Washington State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Puget Sound
Washington State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
  • Washington State Pullman, WA
  • Setting
  • University of Puget Sound Midsize City
  • Washington State Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Puget Sound 1,864
  • Washington State 25,685
  • Type
  • University of Puget Sound Private 4 Year
  • Washington State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Puget Sound #197
  • Washington State #404
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Puget Sound -
  • Washington State -
  • Status
  • University of Puget Sound Non-profit
  • Washington State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Puget Sound
  • Washington State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Puget Sound $62,898
  • Washington State $13,391
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Puget Sound $62,898
  • Washington State $29,950
  • Room & Board
  • University of Puget Sound $16,498
  • Washington State $13,622
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Puget Sound $43,188
  • Washington State $18,171
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Puget Sound $35,179
  • Washington State $10,886
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Puget Sound 99%
  • Washington State 83%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Puget Sound 5,239
  • Washington State 25,462
  • Admitted
  • University of Puget Sound 3,785
  • Washington State 22,060
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Puget Sound 72.2%
  • Washington State 86.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Puget Sound 11.4%
  • Washington State 19.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Puget Sound 1280
  • Washington State 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Puget Sound 29
  • Washington State 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Puget Sound 3.56
  • Washington State 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Puget Sound A-
  • Washington State A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Puget Sound Very High
  • Washington State Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Puget Sound Low
  • Washington State
  • ACT Range
  • University of Puget Sound 27/31
  • Washington State 20/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of Puget Sound 1170/1380
  • Washington State 1020/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Puget Sound Test optional
  • Washington State Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027
  • Washington State Jan 31, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Puget Sound 10:1
  • Washington State 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Puget Sound
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Washington State
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Puget Sound 73%
  • Washington State 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Puget Sound $57,600
  • Washington State $54,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Puget Sound 84%
  • Washington State 71%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Puget Sound $27,000
  • Washington State $20,429
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Puget Sound $279
  • Washington State $211

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Puget Sound 41%
  • Washington State 46%
  • % Women
  • University of Puget Sound 59%
  • Washington State 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Puget Sound Low
  • Washington State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Washington State No
  • % White
  • University of Puget Sound 74%
  • Washington State 63%
  • % Asian
  • University of Puget Sound 6%
  • Washington State 5%
  • % Black
  • University of Puget Sound 1%
  • Washington State 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Puget Sound 7%
  • Washington State 13%
  • % Native American
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • Washington State 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • Washington State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Puget Sound 8%
  • Washington State 8%
  • % International
  • University of Puget Sound 0%
  • Washington State 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Puget Sound 2%
  • Washington State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Puget Sound 33%
  • Washington State 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Puget Sound 67%
  • Washington State 14%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Puget Sound Yes
  • Washington State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Washington State No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Puget Sound Yes
  • Washington State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Washington State No
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Puget Sound No
  • Washington State Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of Puget Sound Details
  • Washington State Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 1,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Puget Sound is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Puget Sound is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Puget Sound 10:1; Washington State University 15:1.

University of Puget Sound vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Puget Sound or Washington State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washington State University than University of Puget Sound ($18,171 vs. $43,188).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 17.4% lower than at University of Puget Sound ($13,622 vs. $16,498).
  • University of Puget Sound is 369.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $49,507 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $13,391.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 110% higher at University of Puget Sound than at Washington State University (about $32,948 more per year; $62,898.00 vs. $29,950.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Puget Sound than at Washington State University (99% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Puget Sound students is 223.2% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($35,179 vs. $10,886).

University of Puget Sound vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Puget Sound or Washington State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Washington State and University of Puget Sound.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Puget Sound (1280) is 160 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
  • Incoming University of Puget Sound students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Washington State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Puget Sound 1170/1380; Washington State University 1020/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Puget Sound 27/31; Washington State University 20/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Puget Sound - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Washington State (3.5).
  • Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than University of Puget Sound (72.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at University of Puget Sound vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

University of Puget Sound vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Puget Sound and Washington State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • University of Puget Sound's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Washington State University's (67%).
  • Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Washington State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $6,571 lower median loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates ($20,429 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Puget Sound graduates ($211 vs. $279).
  • More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington State students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.