Understanding the Cost of Attendance at the University of Puget Sound

Navigating the financial aspects of higher education can be daunting. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the tuition costs, fees, financial aid options, and overall expenses associated with attending the University of Puget Sound, a small, private institution located in Tacoma, WA, founded in 1888. Understanding these costs is crucial for prospective students and their families to plan and prepare for their financial obligations.

The Sticker Price: Tuition and Fees

The University of Puget Sound's tuition is $65,886, which is more expensive than the national average cost of tuition of $50,159. This figure represents the "sticker price," encompassing both tuition and fees. Fees can vary by institution and typically support essential services like library access, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers.

Total Cost of Attendance

While the sticker price provides a baseline, it's essential to consider the total cost of attendance. This includes the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At the University of Puget Sound, the total cost is $83,112.

Understanding Net Price

The net price offers a more realistic estimate of what it truly costs to attend the University of Puget Sound after factoring in grants and scholarships. The average reported annual net price for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $42,301 in 2019/2020. Your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets, and individual financial need.

Net Price by Income Bracket

How much a student actually pays usually depends, at least in part, on their family's household income. At University of Puget Sound this year, we project students with incomes over $110K will pay around $50,863, while students with incomes below $30K will pay around $31,415. That's a difference of $19,448.

Read also: Applying to Puget Sound

Financial Aid Options

Financial aid is available to assist students and their families with the cost of attending Puget Sound, and more than 90% of students receive some form of aid. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Need-Based Aid

Need-based financial aid considers a student’s financial status. In fall 2023, 64% of first-year students received need-based financial aid.

Scholarships and Grants: The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at the University of Puget Sound was $55,121. Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back.
Self-Help Aid: Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $6,176.

Merit-Based Aid

Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at University of Puget Sound - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $30,447. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.

University of Puget Sound's Commitment to Meeting Financial Need

University of Puget Sound met 86% of its students’ financial aid need.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

Read also: Educational services in Washington

At University of Puget Sound, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $265.

Additionally, 9% of graduating students at University of Puget Sound took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $48,900 in private loan debt at graduation.

Average Total Indebtedness

Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: $30,675
Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024): 52%

Additional Costs and Fees

In addition to tuition and university fees, there may be fees associated with certain academic courses and activities.

Part-Time Enrollment: Part-time students enrolling for fewer than 3 units are charged $8,535 per unit. The Comprehensive Student Fee for part-time enrolled students is $147 a semester.
Course-Specific Fees: Some activities and courses include additional fees to cover the cost of supplies, transportation, or certifications.
Premium Room Charges: Premium rooms, like singles, university houses, and rooms in Trimble Hall and Thomas Hall are charged $5,375 per semester.
Applied Music Fee: The Applied Music fee is $250 per quarter unit, not to exceed $500 for lessons taken for the same instrument. This fee is nonrefundable after the beginning of the term.
Returned Check Fee: This fee is added for any payment that is not processed as Puget Sound is charged the return fee and this fee is passed on to the student account.
Health Insurance: It is important that students carry health insurance coverage. Puget Sound cannot recommend any particular individual policy for all students. Students should select a policy that best meets their individual needs, preferences, and budget.

Meal Plan Options

Depending on your routine and nutrition needs, the university offers several meal plan options. Meal Plan C is included in the fall semester billing unless a different meal plan has been chosen at time of housing selection. The fall semester meal plan will be the default for spring semester billing. Students are able to switch to another plan beginning July 1st for fall and December 1st for spring through MyPugetSound.

Comprehensive Student Fee

The Comprehensive Student Fee supports university student services, with a portion used by the Associated Students of the University of Puget Sound (ASUPS) to fund student organizations, clubs, special interest groups, and activities.

Read also: Join the PSESD Team

Additional Financial Considerations

Cost of Attendance (COA): Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total estimated costs, or expenses, for an academic year. These costs include tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees if applicable. The COA is used as part of the calculation to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid.
Tuition Overload: The normal undergraduate course-load is 3.00 to 4.75 units per semester. A student can register for up to 4.75 units without incurring an overload charge.

Estimating Future Costs

This year at University of Puget Sound, we project that on average students will pay $46,777, while the advertised price of attendance is $83,566. That’s a difference of $36,789.

Graduation and Retention Rates

A school’s graduation rate can indicate how likely a student is to complete their degree. At University of Puget Sound, over the last five years 74% of students earned their bachelor’s degree within six years of enrolling. Over the last five years, at University of Puget Sound, about 80% of full-time students returned the following fall to continue their degree.

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