Lewis and Clark vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lewis & Clark College is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,504 students vs. 2,261 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lewis & Clark College is located in Portland, OR (Large City setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lewis & Clark College 12:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Lewis and Clark vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark ($25,232 vs. $37,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis & Clark College are 5.1% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,648 vs. $16,491).
• Lewis & Clark College is 60.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $24,421 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at Lewis and Clark than at Seattle Pacific University (about $24,421 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 33.2% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($42,021 vs. $31,558).

Lewis and Clark vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lewis & Clark College (1300) is 110 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Incoming Lewis and Clark students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 28/31; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lewis and Clark - Test-free; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Lewis and Clark (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Lewis and Clark vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Lewis and Clark vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis & Clark College's (73%).
• Graduates from Lewis & Clark College earn a median of about $500 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis & Clark College graduates have a $1,103 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Lewis and Clark graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($253 vs. $264).
• More Lewis and Clark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SPU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 82%)

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.