SPU vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to Seattle Pacific University or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SPU or Western Washington 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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Seattle U UW-Seattle Washington State UO OSU EWU Central Washington University PLU Gonzaga George Fox University Portland State University UWB
Seattle Pacific University vs. Western Washington University comparison
Seattle Pacific University Western Washington University College 3 College 4
Seattle Pacific University Western Washington University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SPU Western Washington University
Location Seattle, WA Bellingham, WA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 3,118 14,747
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #270 #378
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spu.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SPU Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $36,504 $7,760
Tuition (Out of State) $36,504 $25,666
Room & Board $14,409 $14,691
Avg Net Price $26,549 $21,105
Avg Grant Aid $25,359 $6,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

SPU Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,895 11,864
Admitted 3,533 10,997
Acceptance Rate 90.7% 92.7%
Enrolled % 15.2% 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 25/30
SAT Range 1080/1350 1130/1340
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 Jan 31, 2025

Academics

SPU Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

SPU Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 74% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,603 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $264 $200

Diversity

SPU Western Washington University
% Men 31% 42%
% Women 69% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 73%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 9%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

SPU Western Washington University
% In-State 71% 83%
% Out-of-State 26% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (14,747 students vs. 3,118 students)

SPU vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or Western Washington University?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 370.4% more expensive to attend than Western Washington University for in-state tuition ($36,504.00 vs. $7,760.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.2% higher at SPU than Western Washington University ($36,504.00 vs. $25,666.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Washington University than SPU ($21,105 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 2% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($14,409 vs. $14,691)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than Western Washington University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 288.8% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($25,359 vs. $6,522)

SPU vs. Western Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 31 points higher than at Western Washington University (1114)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Western Washington University (25)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Western Washington University (3.46)
  • Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than SPU (90.7%)

SPU vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SPU or Western Washington 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 Western Washington University and SPU.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Western Washington University (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $2,400 more per year than Western Washington University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $48,000)
  • Western Washington University students graduate with a $6,190 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($19,413 vs. $25,603)
  • Western Washington University graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($200 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Washington University 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/