Since 1973, City University of Seattle has been relentlessly reimagining higher education in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. As an accredited, private, nonprofit university, our mission is to provide career-relevant education to busy professionals who want to advance their careers and compete in the global marketplace.

Today, CityU is recognized as a Top 10 educator of adults nationwide¹, offering over 60 degree and certificate programs in business, leadership, education, project management, health and human services, and computer and information systems. Whether students study on-site or online, they learn from practitioner faculty and network with alumni employed at Seattle’s top companies.

CityU is truly a global community. Each year, the institution serves over 500 international students at our Seattle campus who come to CityU to complete their bachelor’s degree or earn a graduate degree. We continue our mission of offering access to a high quality, relevant U.S.-style degree to those in other countries. There are now partnerships with institutions in Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Slovakia, and Vietnam. No matter which program students choose, they gain global perspectives from their peers while expanding their professional expertise.

From the day they enroll, students have an entire team of support that’s committed to helping them finish their degree and achieve their goals.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

As a private nonprofit institution of higher education, City University of Seattle’s mission is to change lives for good by offering high quality and relevant lifelong education to anyone with the desire to learn. CityU’s vision is to be the destination of choice for accessible, career-focused education with a focus on equipping a diverse student population with 21st century skills and technology tools. Its five core values are:

• Flexibility — designing and delivering programs convenient to students;
• Accessibility — providing educational opportunities to anyone, anywhere;
• Innovation — continually creating new educational opportunities;
• Relevance — teaching today what can be applied tomorrow; and
• Global Perspectives — acting locally while thinking globally.

Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

City University of Seattle is dedicated to providing accessible education to a locally, regionally, and globally diverse student body, recognizing the increasingly multicultural world we inhabit. We are committed to our ethical and moral responsibility to ensure that all students, including historically marginalized students, are not only acknowledged but also accepted and celebrated for their unique individuality.

We understand the importance of fostering a diverse student body to facilitate a robust exchange of ideas and perspectives, crucial for equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make positive contributions to our communities and society.

City University of Seattle actively honors and champions our diverse students, faculty, and staff by cultivating a safe and supportive environment that embraces social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. This environment promotes mutual respect, unlocking the full potential of talents and abilities to foster innovation and leadership. Learn more about our commitment to these principles through the Social Justice Coalition and the impactful work we do to support these initiatives at City University.