City University of Seattle

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.

Why City University of Seattle

At CityU we strive to change lives for good by offering high quality and relevant lifelong education to anyone with the desire to learn. Our values include:

• Flexibility – design and deliver programs and services to be convenient to students
• Accessibility – provide educational opportunities to anyone, anywhere
• Innovation – continually create new educational opportunities
• Relevance – what we teach today can be applied tomorrow
• Global – act local but think global

Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

City University of Seattle provides a global education in which we recognize the increasingly diverse and multicultural world in which we live. We commit to our duty, and ethical and moral responsibility to ensure that all students are acknowledged, accepted, and celebrated for the unique individuals that they are.

We acknowledge that it is imperative to have a diverse student body to create a robust exchange of ideas and perspectives necessary to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to contribute positively to their communities and society.

City University of Seattle honors and champions our students, faculty, and staff by creating a safe and supportive environment where all people can learn, grow, and thrive.

CityU's Strategic Plan

The Board of Trustees approves an institutional five-year strategic plan to guide CityU. The strategic plan is a living document that will guide the University for the next five years. It is updated annually, serving as a road map to help the University fulfill its mission and achieve its vision. The University’s strategic plan guides operational activities, including the determination of annual goals and objectives for its performance.

View CityU’s strategic plan, CityU 2020, which builds upon the university’s mission and provides direction for future progress.

Who CityU Serves

CityU serves a diverse student community of working adults, including over 500 international students from around the world. Learn more about our student community below or download CityU's fact sheet.