Caldwell University vs. SPU

Should I go to Caldwell University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Caldwell University or SPU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Caldwell University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Caldwell University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Caldwell University SPU
Location Caldwell, NJ Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 1,864 2,659
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #485 #246
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website caldwell.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Caldwell University SPU
Tuition (In State) $37,350 $37,965
Tuition (Out of State) $37,350 $37,965
Room & Board $13,774 $15,498
Avg Net Price $23,071 $26,155
Avg Grant Aid $30,549 $28,070
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

Caldwell University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,845 2,806
Admitted 5,131 2,556
Acceptance Rate 65.4% 91.1%
Enrolled % 6.7% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26 20/28
SAT Range 1010/1320 1050/1320
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 11, 2026

Academics

Caldwell University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (19%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Caldwell University SPU
Graduation Rate 58% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,800 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $266 $264

Diversity

Caldwell University SPU
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 18% 16%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 39% 61%
% Black 15% 4%
% Hispanic 18% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 8%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 18% 1%

Students

Caldwell University SPU
% In-State 71% 71%
% Out-of-State 7% 26%

Campus

Caldwell University SPU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than Caldwell University based on total student enrollment (2,659 students vs. 1,864 students)

Caldwell University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caldwell University or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Caldwell University for in-state tuition ($37,965.00 vs. $37,350.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at SPU than Caldwell University ($37,965.00 vs. $37,350.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Caldwell University than SPU ($23,071 vs. $26,155)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Caldwell University are 12.5% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($13,774 vs. $15,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Caldwell University than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Caldwell University students is 8.8% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($30,549 vs. $28,070)

Caldwell University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caldwell University or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or Caldwell University .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 176 points higher than at Caldwell University (969)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Caldwell University (21)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Caldwell University (3.3)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Caldwell University (65.4%)

Caldwell University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Caldwell University or SPU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SPU and Caldwell University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Caldwell University (74% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Caldwell University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $46,800)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $147 lower median federal student loan debt than Caldwell University graduates. ($25,603 vs. $25,750)
  • SPU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Caldwell University graduates. ($264 vs. $266)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Caldwell University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/