SPU vs. Carroll University

Should I go to Seattle Pacific University or Carroll University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SPU or Carroll University 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
Seattle Pacific University vs. Carroll University comparison
Seattle Pacific University Carroll University College 3 College 4
Seattle Pacific University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SPU Carroll University
Location Seattle, WA Waukesha, WI
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 3,118 3,283
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #270 #534
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spu.edu carrollu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SPU Carroll University
Tuition (In State) $36,504 $35,360
Tuition (Out of State) $36,504 $35,360
Room & Board $14,409 $11,564
Avg Net Price $26,549 $25,485
Avg Grant Aid $25,359 $23,933
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

SPU Carroll University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,895 4,728
Admitted 3,533 3,411
Acceptance Rate 90.7% 72.1%
Enrolled % 15.2% 19.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 22/28
SAT Range 1080/1350 1060/1340
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 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

SPU Carroll University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

SPU Carroll University
Graduation Rate 74% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,603 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $264 $279

Diversity

SPU Carroll University
% Men 31% 32%
% Women 69% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 83%
% Black 4% 1%
% Hispanic 10% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

SPU Carroll University
% In-State 71% 66%
% Out-of-State 26% 30%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Carroll University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,283 students vs. 3,118 students)

SPU vs. Carroll University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or Carroll University?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 3.2% more expensive to attend than Carroll University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $35,360.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.2% higher at SPU than Carroll University ($36,504.00 vs. $35,360.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carroll University than SPU ($25,485 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll University are 24.6% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,564 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Carroll University than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 6% larger than aid received Carroll University ($25,359 vs. $23,933)

SPU vs. Carroll University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 58 points higher than at Carroll University (1087)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Carroll University (24)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Carroll University (3.39)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Carroll University (72.1%)

SPU vs. Carroll University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SPU or Carroll University? 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 Carroll University and SPU.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Carroll University (74% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $6,200 more per year than Carroll University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $44,200)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Carroll University graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Carroll University graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carroll University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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