Carroll College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Carroll College in Helena, MT with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Carroll College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,156 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carroll College is located in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carroll College 12:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Carroll College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carroll College or SPU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Carroll College ($25,232 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 30% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($11,548 vs. $16,491).
• Carroll College is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $1,077 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Carroll College than at Seattle Pacific University (about $1,077 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carroll College than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 5% larger than aid received by Carroll College students ($31,558 vs. $30,058).

Carroll College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carroll College or SPU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SPU and Carroll College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 10 points higher than at Carroll College (1180).
• Incoming Carroll College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at SPU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 1050/1300; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carroll College 21/27; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carroll College - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Carroll College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Carroll College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carroll College and SPU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Carroll College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than Carroll College graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carroll College graduates ($264 vs. $279).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carroll College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.