Pacific vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Pacific vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific or SU? 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 Shenandoah University than Pacific ($27,181 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 20% lower than at Pacific University ($12,490 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $19,424 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.6% higher at Pacific than at Shenandoah University (about $19,424 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $36,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Pacific University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 50.1% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($37,139 vs. $24,747).

Pacific vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific or SU? 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 SU and Pacific.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 50 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Pacific students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at SU (3.7).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 16.7% at SU.

Pacific vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific and SU? 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).

• Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $1,156 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($258 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.