Pacific vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

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

Washington State University is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Washington State University 15:1.

Pacific vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific or Washington State? 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 Washington State University than Pacific ($18,171 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 12.8% lower than at Pacific University ($13,622 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 321% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $42,983 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.2% higher at Pacific than at Washington State University (about $26,424 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at Washington State University (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 241.2% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($37,139 vs. $10,886).

Pacific vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 50 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming Pacific students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Washington State (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

Pacific vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $5,727 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($20,429 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($211 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.