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Comparable Schools'
Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
Diversity is a core value of Seattle University, and this is reflected in almost every aspect of the school. It would probably surprise you to learn that, at a Catholic school, only 33 percent of the student body is Catholic (the number is even smaller for graduate students), and that they have even started a club for atheists and agnostics. But Seattle University is welcoming of people of all faiths and does not make any overt attempt at evangelization toward students (the lack of a requirement to attend chapel is likely a positive). In terms of ethnicity, while the school is predominantly white, there is a large and active minority student body that regularly puts together a number of cultural events and celebrations. There is a relatively small number of African American and Hispanic students in comparison to the Asian student population, but there are no real “tensions” on campus. Students here get along well, and the various functions put together by minority clubs are some of the most popular of the year. The majority of students are receiving some form of aid or scholarships, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are not wealthy; the campus is very diverse in terms of economic and social backgrounds. Seattle U also includes a large GLBT population, perhaps somewhat unusual for a Catholic school, and their events have attracted criticism from more conservative elements. But the school is open to them, and has largely held fast against this criticism, as they feel such diversity, and warmth toward those who do differ from what could be called the “societal norm,” is a key part of the Jesuit ethos. To them, you truly cannot grow as a person unless you are exposed to the broadest range of people and lifestyles possible, and this openness is something that benefits the school immensely.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
It’s cool. The diversity that...
It’s cool. The diversity that surprised me the most was the religious practices. I knew that not everyone would be Catholic when I started, but because it’s a Jesuit university, I expected more. I was glad to see that most of the students have varying religious backgrounds. It makes campus life more interesting. |
Anonymous says: |
It’s pretty diverse. With a 35...
It’s pretty diverse. With a 35 percent multicultural population, I find many opportunities to get involved in the multicultural programs. |
Anonymous says: |
Campus is pleasantly and...
Campus is pleasantly and surprisingly diverse. There is a large Asian population; though sadly, there are not very many African Americans. |
Anonymous says: |
The campus is pretty diverse, both...
The campus is pretty diverse, both racially and politically. |
Anonymous says: |
It is not very diverse. It is...
It is not very diverse. It is mostly Caucasian students. It needs to be more diverse. There are very few African American students and other minorities, as well. |
FactsEconomic Status
There is a large number of private school students who give a sort of “rich kid” feel to the school. However, there is such a diversity of economic backgrounds due to the range of scholarships available, it is not an overwhelming aspect of the campus atmosphere.
Gay Pride
With campus next door to a large gay population, Capitol Hill, there is not a mere tolerance of homosexuality, but an accepting and even welcoming atmosphere. Indeed, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, people who reported living in a same-sex relationships in Seattle is 240 percent above the national norm. There are many gay students on campus, and there is no visible hostility towards them.
Minority Clubs
Action, Asian and Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU), Black Student Union (BSU), Hi’brid, Hui O Nani Hawai’i, Mana o Polynesia, Marianas Taotao Tano Club, Movimiento Estudantil Chicano/a de Aztlan (MEChA), Muslim Student Association (MSA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), United Filipino Club (UFC), Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Indonesian Student Associatino, Japan Club, Taiwanese Student Association, the International Club (TIC), Chinese American Student Association
Most Common Religions
According to Campus Ministry, about half of the student population is Catholic or has Catholic parents. However, the rest of campus is divided into a spectrum of faiths, including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Evangelical, Episcopal, and many more.
Political Activity
With an intense Jesuit focus on social justice, the strong voices come from clubs like Amnesty International and Campus Ministry. However, the general feeling of the campus seems undetermined; there is a definite liberal vibe on campus, and little is heard from the Young Republican or Young Democrat chapters. Indeed, the political vibe is felt more through individual topics and problems instead of in terms of parties.
Did You Know?The Seattle University School of Law is the most diverse in the Pacific Northwest, with 57 percent of members being female and 33 percent being non-white students
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: Michael Lis-Sette
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: Journalism Michael has visited 27 states and plans to visit the other 23 (and then plans to start traveling to all the countries on various continents). Contributing Author Internship  College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
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