Northwest University vs. SPU

Should I go to Northwest University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwest 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Seattle U UW-Seattle PLU George Fox University Whitworth University Western Washington University Central Washington University Azusa Pacific University Washington State UWB University of Portland University of Puget Sound
Northwest University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Northwest University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Northwest University Seattle Pacific University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Northwest University SPU
Location Kirkland, WA Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 1,014 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #360 #270
Religious Affiliation Assemblies of God Church Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwestu.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwest University SPU
Tuition (In State) $34,500 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $34,500 $36,504
Room & Board $10,140 $14,409
Avg Net Price $23,722 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $22,486 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Northwest University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 383 3,895
Admitted 361 3,533
Acceptance Rate 94.3% 90.7%
Enrolled % 43.2% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 20/27
SAT Range 1050/1320 1080/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

 Northwest University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Northwest University SPU
Graduation Rate 50% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,400 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,532 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $222 $264

Diversity

 Northwest University SPU
% Men 35% 31%
% Women 65% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 61%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 8%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Northwest University SPU
% In-State 79% 71%
% Out-of-State 18% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than Northwest University based on total student enrollment (3,118 students vs. 1,014 students)

Northwest University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest University or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 5.8% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.8% higher at SPU than Northwest University ($36,504.00 vs. $34,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwest University than SPU ($23,722 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 42.1% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($10,140 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest University than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 12.8% larger than aid received Northwest University ($25,359 vs. $22,486)

Northwest University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 149 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than SPU (90.7%)

Northwest University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwest 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 Northwest University.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Northwest University (74% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $9,000 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $41,400)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $4,071 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($21,532 vs. $25,603)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($222 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 62%)

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