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.
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Named one of the 20 “Most Beautiful Campuses in America” by The Princeton Review (2019).
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Awarded a four-star rating for institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs, and practices by the Campus Pride Index (2019).
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A top university in the country for student voting, per Washington Monthly (2019).
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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.
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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).
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Recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution (2021) for the 10th year.
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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).
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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.
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A top producer of U.S. Fulbright Student award recipients (2021–22).
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A top 10 Peace Corps volunteer-producing institution among small universities (2019).
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A top Pacific Northwest university for salary potential, according to Payscale.com’s College Salary Report (2019).
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Among the highest salaries after graduation for Washington universities, per Puget Sound Business Journal (2017).
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Nationally ranked for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2019).
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Ranked in the top 7% of baccalaureate-granting institutions nationwide whose graduates go on to earn doctorates.
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Seven months after graduation, 93% of graduates are employed, continuing their education, and engaged in public service.
Economic Impact
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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.
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In addition, Puget Sound engages in intellectual, cultural and service projects that further enhance our community and the well-being of our region.
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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:
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The Bachelor of Science Degree in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puget Sound is approved by the American Chemical Society
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.