Pacific vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific University is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,427 students vs. 2,261 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Pacific vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific 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 Pacific ($25,232 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 5.3% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,620 vs. $16,491).
• Pacific University is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $15,967 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at Pacific than at Seattle Pacific University (about $15,967 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Pacific University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($37,139 vs. $31,558).

Pacific vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific 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 Pacific.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 120 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at SPU (3.53).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than SPU (83.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Pacific vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific 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 Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $553 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($264 vs. $270).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.