SPU vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Tacoma Campus is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (4,965 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 Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Seattle Pacific University 13:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

SPU vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or UWT? 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 Tacoma Campus than SPU ($13,898 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus are 0.7% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($16,371 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 206.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWT (about $27,239 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $13,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at UWT than at Seattle Pacific University (about $2,997 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 159.5% larger than aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students ($31,558 vs. $12,161).

SPU vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SPU or UWT? 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 UWT and SPU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 120 points higher than at UWT (1070).
• Incoming SPU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 20/28; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SPU - Test-free; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027; UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UWT (3.41).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at SPU vs. 21.5% at UWT.

SPU vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SPU and UWT? 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 University of Washington Tacoma 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 Tacoma Campus graduates have a $10,603 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, UWT 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 UWT 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.