SPU vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA with University of Washington Seattle Campus in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 2,261 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Seattle Pacific University is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Seattle Pacific University 13:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

SPU vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or UW-Seattle? 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 University of Washington Seattle Campus than SPU ($11,784 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 10.4% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($16,491 vs. $18,405).
• Seattle Pacific University is 211.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $27,434 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at UW-Seattle than at Seattle Pacific University (about $2,802 more per year; $43,209.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (99% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 95.3% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($31,558 vs. $16,156).

SPU vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SPU or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and SPU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 140 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 20/28; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SPU - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at SPU vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

SPU vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SPU and UW-Seattle? 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).

• University of Washington Seattle Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Seattle Pacific University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $10,603 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($155 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.