The University of Puget Sound has been recognized as a College of Distinction for the 2025–2026 academic year. It has received national recognition in four categories: College of Distinction, Business College of Distinction, College of Distinction for Career Development, and, for the first time, a College of Distinction for Transfer Support.
“This recognition underscores Puget Sound's unwavering commitment to providing a student-centered education that prioritizes creating pathways to success, rigorous professional preparation, and meaningful post-graduate success,” President Isiaah Crawford said. “By focusing on transformative, deep and high-impact learning — where engaged students, exceptional teaching, and a vibrant campus community intersect — we ensure our graduates are fully equipped to thrive and lead in a rapidly changing world.”
Transfer College of Distinction
Puget Sound earned its Transfer College of Distinction designation in recognition of its structured, student-centered approach to make the transfer process clear, approachable, and academically sound through degree completion. In the past year, the university has significantly increased its transfer recruitment efforts and undertaken targeted initiatives to simplify credit evaluations and enhance academic integration, resulting in a noticeable increase in transfer applications.
“Transfer students bring with them real-world experience and fresh perspectives to campus. Too often, colleges and universities treat them as an afterthought in their programs and messaging,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer of Colleges of Distinction. “University of Puget Sound offers something different. What we have seen is an intentional investment in making their transfer students feel like they belong from day one.”
Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions on transfer credit transparency, admissions visibility, academic advising tailored to transfer students, and outcomes data — Puget Sound met the standard in each area.
Business College of Distinction
The School of Business & Leadership has been recognized as a Business College of Distinction, honoring an undergraduate program that equips graduates to navigate uncertainty, lead in diverse settings, and make decisions that no textbook can fully anticipate. The selection process goes beyond accreditation, evaluating the full arc of a student's business education from entry into the discipline through entry into the workforce. Puget Sound's program demonstrates depth and intentionality at every stage, including multidisciplinary offerings, hands-on learning through internships and consulting projects, a strong emphasis on business ethics, and robust industry connections through advisory councils and job placement support.
Career Development College of Distinction
Puget Sound was again recognized for career development, an honor given to schools that integrate career readiness into the entire student experience. Nearly 80% of Puget Sound students hold a campus job at some point during their time at the university, offering hands-on opportunities to build professional skills and explore career paths. The university’s Career & Employment Services supports students with career exploration, 24/7 online tools, one-on-one advising, résumé workshops, interview preparation, and dedicated employer relations staff.
About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their exceptional contributions to higher education. Member institutions distinguish themselves through their unwavering focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate experience. Their website offers dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and valuable resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.
