Founded in 1891 as Immaculate Conception School and expanding into an independent university, Seattle University is a premier private Catholic Jesuit university located in the First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods of Seattle, Washington. Spanning a 50-acre urban campus located just east of downtown Seattle, Seattle U connects liberal arts breadth with social justice and technology. You can examine its founding origins, Jesuit mission, and urban history through the Seattle University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend Seattle U, you enter an innovative urban institution committed to social justice, environmental sustainability, and ethical leadership. Living in Capitol Hill places you steps away from corporate headquarters, healthcare centers, art galleries, and tech incubators.
Premier Academic Programs
Seattle U hosts eight academic colleges delivering accredited undergraduate and graduate instruction:
- Albers School of Business and Economics: Top-ranked business school famous for ethical management, corporate finance, business analytics, and entrepreneurship. Explore degree options on the Albers School of Business portal.
- Seattle University School of Law: Premier private law school recognized for legal writing, public interest law, social justice advocacy, and trial clinics.
- College of Nursing: Prepares compassionate healthcare professionals through direct clinical partnerships with Swedish Medical Center.
- College of Science and Engineering: Delivers hands-on instruction in computer science, civil engineering, mechanical systems, and environmental science.
- College of Arts and Sciences: Serves as the intellectual core across humanities, digital media, social theory, and fine arts.
"Doctrine et Pietas, translated from Latin as Learning and Piety, serves as the official motto of Seattle University."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the award-winning Chapel of St. Ignatius, designed by Steven Holl, and the Redhawk Center. School spirit revolves around Rudy the Redhawk, the energetic mascot representing Seattle Redhawks athletic teams competing in NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference sports. You can read about the mascot history and spirit traditions on the official Rudy the Redhawk Mascot page. Cheering inside the Redhawk Center for basketball games and joining over 120 student clubs creates an engaging urban culture.
Research Infrastructure and Urban Sustainability
Seattle U operates an active research framework advancing environmental justice and computer technology:
- Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability: Interdisciplinary research center developing policy solutions for urban climate adaptation.
- Project Center: Connects senior engineering and computer science students with corporate partners to solve real-world industry challenges. Learn more via Seattle U Research Operations.
- Poverty Wellness Center: Interdisciplinary clinic conducting applied community research to address urban healthcare inequities.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of public servants, corporate executives, Olympic champions, and musicians, including:
- Duff McKagan: Musician, songwriter, and bassist for Guns N' Roses who studied accounting at Seattle U's Albers School.
- Frank Murkowski: Former Governor of Alaska and U.S. Senator who earned his degree in economics at Seattle U.
- Jim Seneca: Business executive and prominent civic leader in the Pacific Northwest.
- Quincy Jones: Legendary 28-time Grammy Award-winning music producer and arranger who studied at Seattle U.
Seattle U provides significant financial assistance and merit scholarships for qualified domestic and international applicants. Review full entry guidelines and application steps on the official Seattle U Admissions portal.