NNU vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID 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 NNU based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Nazarene University is located in Nampa, ID (Small City setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Nazarene University 14:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

NNU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NNU 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 NNU ($25,232 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 26.8% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($12,070 vs. $16,491).
• Northwest Nazarene University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $387 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at NNU than at Seattle Pacific University (about $387 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University as at Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 25.5% larger than aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students ($31,558 vs. $25,146).

NNU vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NNU 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 NNU.

• Northwest Nazarene University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 70 points higher than at NNU (1120).
• Incoming NNU 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: Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Nazarene University 22/27; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NNU - Open admission; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at NNU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

NNU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NNU 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 Northwest Nazarene University's (52%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than NNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $397 lower median loan debt than NNU graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($264 vs. $268).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

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.