Organizer Information
Seattle University is a private Jesuit university located in Seattle, Washington, United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate education across arts, humanities, sciences, business, and professional disciplines. Its relevant creative programs include visual art, design, photography, film and media, and art and visual culture studies. These programs are offered through academic departments and Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Seattle University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; Graduate
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MFA and other degrees across the university
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Design, Photography, Film and Media, Visual Culture
- Relevant Programs: Art, BFA; Art and Visual Culture Studies, BA; Design, BA; Film and Media, BA/BFA; Photography, BA/BFA; Interdisciplinary Arts, Visual Art, BA; Interdisciplinary Arts, Photography, BA; Arts Leadership, MFA
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Varies by program and entry term
- Application Deadline: Program- and applicant-specific
- Start of Studies: Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer, depending on program
- Application Fee: Undergraduate: $60; graduate fees vary by program
- Tuition: Undergraduate: $59,400 per academic year for 2026–2027 full-time enrollment
- Funding: Scholarships, grants and other financial aid, subject to eligibility
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Fine Arts and Visual Art: studio practice, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and new media.
- Art History and Visual Culture: critical analysis of visual culture, art history, museums and cultural representation.
- Design: visual communication, digital design and portfolio development.
- Photography: photographic techniques, critical theory, digital imaging and exhibition practice.
- Film and Media: filmmaking, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, media history and visual culture.
- Arts Leadership: graduate-level study in arts administration and leadership.
The university also supports interdisciplinary study. For example, Interdisciplinary Arts, Photography, BA allows students to combine photography with coursework in other artistic disciplines.
General Eligibility
- Seattle University accepts applications from domestic and international students. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their intended study level and program.
- Undergraduate applicants are assessed through the applicable first-year or transfer admission process. Graduate applicants must meet the academic and application requirements established by their selected graduate program. International applicants must also satisfy applicable English-language proficiency and immigration documentation requirements.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants must meet the university's secondary-school academic requirements. Transfer applicants must submit records of their previous college-level studies. Applicants to graduate programs must satisfy the prior-degree requirements established by their intended program.
- The university's creative programs may have additional academic progression requirements. For example, students in the Design, BA program begin as design candidates and must complete designated coursework and a faculty portfolio review before entering the advanced major.
Language Requirements
- International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an accepted exemption.
| Test | General admission threshold |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (pre-21 January 2026 scoring) | 86 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| Pearson PTE | 58 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
- Applicants with lower scores may qualify for the English Language and Cultural Bridge (ELCB) pathway. Accepted exemptions include certain educational backgrounds and approved alternative assessments.
- Graduate admission: The published minimums include IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE 58 and Duolingo 120. TOEFL requirements depend on the scoring system used. Some graduate programs cannot accommodate students who need ELCB coursework before beginning their degree.
Application fee
| Applicant category | Fee |
|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $60 |
| Undergraduate transfer | $60 |
| Post-baccalaureate | $60 |
| Non-matriculated undergraduate | $60 |
| Graduate applicants | Program-specific; verify with the relevant program |
The undergraduate application fee is non-refundable. Waivers are available under qualifying circumstances, including certain transfer applicants and readmission cases. Some graduate programs explicitly waive application fees.
Tuition
| Study category | Tuition | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, full-time | $59,400 | Academic year |
| Undergraduate, part-time | $1,320 | Per quarter credit |
| Cornish semester-based, part-time | $1,980 | Per semester credit |
| Graduate programs | Program-specific | Usually per credit; some cohort programs charge per quarter |
- The full-time undergraduate rate covers 12–18 credits per quarter in the quarter system. Cornish semester-based programs follow a different billing calendar. Graduate tuition depends on the program and required credits.
- Additional mandatory undergraduate charges include the technology fee ($214 per quarter), wellness fee ($172 per quarter), activity fee ($66 per quarter) and international student health insurance ($2,392 annually, subject to the published waiver conditions). First-year students also pay a $175 matriculation fee and a $400 orientation fee. Other charges may apply according to enrollment and program.
Funding & Financial Support
- Seattle University offers merit scholarships, institutional grants and other financial aid. First-year undergraduate applicants, including international applicants, are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they submit a completed admissions application. Eligible transfer applicants may also receive merit awards.
- Need-based financial aid is not offered to international students. Graduate funding opportunities vary by program, and applicants should consult the relevant department and the university's official scholarship listings. Awards are subject to eligibility and funding conditions.
University Services & Academic Support
Relevant academic resources include:
- Studios and creative facilities: Art and design students have access to designated studio facilities, while photography students can use digital labs, darkrooms and lighting studios.
- Film production facilities: Film and Media, BFA students have access to editing labs, sound stages, screening facilities and other production resources.
- Creative makerspace: The Billodue Makerspace supports activities such as fiber arts, sewing, 3D printing, laser cutting and glass work.
- Academic advising: Students can consult academic advisers about course planning and degree requirements.
- International student guidance: The university provides international admissions information and support related to student immigration documentation.
Access to facilities and specialized resources depends on the program and applicable university policies.
Application Requirements
First-year undergraduate applicants must submit:
- A completed Common Application, including the required essay and writing supplements.
- Official secondary-school transcripts.
- One teacher recommendation.
- One counselor recommendation or secondary-school report.
- The application fee or an approved fee waiver.
Applicants who have earned college credit must also submit official college transcripts. ACT and SAT scores are optional under the university's test-optional policy.
International applicants must provide the applicable academic records and English-proficiency evidence or documentation of an accepted exemption. International students seeking an F-1 visa must also submit the required International Student Declaration of Finances.
Program-specific requirements: Design, BA candidates must complete the prescribed coursework and faculty portfolio review to progress into the advanced major. Other creative programs may have distinct requirements; applicants should follow the official requirements for their specific program rather than assume that a portfolio or audition is universally required.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- First-Year Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- First-Year Early Decision Deadline: 1 November — Nursing and Diagnostic Ultrasound only
- First-Year Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Transfer Nursing Admission Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Transfer Diagnostic Ultrasound Admission Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Transfer Priority Admission Deadline — Other Majors: 1 March 2027
- International Undergraduate Recommended Deadline — Winter Term: 1 October 2026
- International Undergraduate Final Deadline — Winter Term: 1 November 2026
- International Undergraduate Recommended Deadline — Spring Term: 1 January 2027
- International Graduate Priority Deadline — Fall Term: 25 July 2027
- International Graduate Priority Deadline — Winter Term: 1 September 2026
- International Graduate Priority Deadline — Spring Term: 1 February 2027
- International Graduate Priority Deadline — Summer Term: 15 February 2027
Undergraduate fall classes begin in September; winter classes begin in early January, and spring classes begin in late March or early April. Graduate deadlines vary by program and entry term. The dates above should not be treated as confirmed deadlines for every 2027 intake or every creative degree.
Location
Seattle University — Seattle, Washington, United States.
Additional Details
Seattle University is transitioning several creative programs to Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University beginning in Fall 2027. The published program pages identify new or revised pathways in art, design, film and media, and photography. Students planning to apply for Fall 2027 should verify the new degree title, school affiliation, application requirements and tuition structure before applying.