EWU vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 2,261 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Washington University 18:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

EWU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EWU 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 Eastern Washington University than SPU ($14,767 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Washington University are 5.6% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,574 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 370.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $31,821 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.7% higher at SPU than at Eastern Washington University (about $14,448 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $25,959.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Eastern Washington University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 215.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($31,558 vs. $10,001).

EWU vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EWU 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 EWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 200 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming SPU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 880/1090; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 16/23; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EWU - Test-free; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than SPU (83.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at EWU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

EWU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EWU 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 Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than EWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $4,785 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($20,818 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($215 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.