Seattle Central vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Seattle Central College in Seattle, WA 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 Seattle Central based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 5,396 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Seattle Central College is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Seattle Central College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Seattle Central College 17:1; Washington State University 15:1.

Seattle Central vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seattle Central 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 Seattle Central College than Washington State ($11,187 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 28.5% lower than at Seattle Central College ($13,622 vs. $19,041).
• Washington State University is 158.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle Central (about $8,207 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $5,184.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 421.3% higher at Washington State than at Seattle Central College (about $24,205 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $5,745.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at Seattle Central College (83% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 60% larger than aid received by Seattle Central College students ($10,886 vs. $6,805).

Seattle Central vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Seattle Central 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 Seattle Central.

• Seattle Central College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWashington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Seattle Central - Open admission; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Seattle Central Aug 31, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.

Seattle Central vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Seattle Central 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).

• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than Seattle Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $35,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Central College graduates have a $10,539 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($9,890 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, Seattle Central graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($102 vs. $211).

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.