SPU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Seattle Pacific University 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 SPU based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 2,261 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Seattle Pacific University is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Seattle 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: Seattle Pacific University 13:1; Washington State University 15:1.

SPU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU 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 SPU ($18,171 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 17.4% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($13,622 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 201.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washington State (about $27,016 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $13,391.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at SPU than at Washington State University (about $10,457 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Washington State University (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 189.9% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($31,558 vs. $10,886).

SPU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SPU 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 SPU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 70 points higher than at Washington State (1120).
• Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Washington State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle Pacific University 20/28; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SPU - Test-free; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Washington State has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than SPU (83.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at SPU vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

SPU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SPU 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).

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Washington State University's (67%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $5,174 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($20,429 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($211 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washington State students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.