Central Washington University vs. SPU

Should I go to Central Washington University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central Washington 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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Central Washington University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Central Washington University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Central Washington University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

 Central Washington University SPU
Location Ellensburg, WA Seattle, WA
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 9,257 3,118
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #610 #270
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cwu.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central Washington University SPU
Tuition (In State) $6,816 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $23,881 $36,504
Room & Board $13,645 $14,409
Avg Net Price $15,864 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $9,294 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 99%

Admission

 Central Washington University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,409 3,895
Admitted 5,992 3,533
Acceptance Rate 93.5% 90.7%
Enrolled % 23.5% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.08 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 20/27
SAT Range 930/1150 1080/1350
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

 Central Washington University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Central Washington University SPU
Graduation Rate 56% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,737 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $214 $264

Diversity

 Central Washington University SPU
% Men 47% 31%
% Women 53% 69%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 61%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 14% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

 Central Washington University SPU
% In-State 95% 71%
% Out-of-State 5% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 3,118 students)

Central Washington University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 435.6% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.9% higher at SPU than Central Washington University ($36,504.00 vs. $23,881.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than SPU ($15,864 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 5.6% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($13,645 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than Central Washington University (99% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 172.9% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($25,359 vs. $9,294)

Central Washington University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 167 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than SPU (90.7%)

Central Washington University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central Washington 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 Central Washington University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Central Washington University (74% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Central Washington University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $47,800)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $4,866 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($20,737 vs. $25,603)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($214 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 60%)

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