CityU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare City University of Seattle in Seattle, WA with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than CityU based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 2,007 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• City University of Seattle is located in Seattle, WA (Midsize City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• City University of Seattle is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: City University of Seattle 5:1; Washington State University 15:1.

CityU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at City University of Seattle are 14.7% lower than at Washington State University ($11,613 vs. $13,622).
• City University of Seattle is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $1,198 more per year; $14,589.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.3% higher at Washington State than at City University of Seattle (about $15,361 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $14,589.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at City University of Seattle (83% vs. 0%).

CityU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CityU or Washington State? 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 Washington State and CityU.

• City University of Seattle reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CityU - Open admission; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington State Jan 31, 2027.

CityU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CityU and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than City University of Seattle's (13%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than CityU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $4,237 lower median loan debt than CityU graduates ($20,429 vs. $24,666).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CityU graduates ($211 vs. $255).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CityU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 55%)

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.