SPU vs. Whitworth University

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

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Seattle Pacific University vs. Whitworth University comparison
Seattle Pacific University Whitworth University College 3 College 4
Seattle Pacific University Whitworth University
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Overview

SPU Whitworth University
Location Seattle, WA Spokane, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,118 2,415
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #270 #304
Religious Affiliation Free Methodist Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spu.edu whitworth.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SPU Whitworth University
Tuition (In State) $36,504 $47,700
Tuition (Out of State) $36,504 $47,700
Room & Board $14,409 $13,100
Avg Net Price $26,549 $28,299
Avg Grant Aid $25,359 $35,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

SPU Whitworth University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,895 4,126
Admitted 3,533 3,735
Acceptance Rate 90.7% 90.5%
Enrolled % 15.2% 12.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 19/27
SAT Range 1080/1350 1110/1350
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

SPU Whitworth University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

SPU Whitworth University
Graduation Rate 74% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,603 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $264 $268

Diversity

SPU Whitworth University
% Men 31% 41%
% Women 69% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 61% 75%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 6%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

SPU Whitworth University
% In-State 71% 70%
% Out-of-State 26% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than Whitworth University based on total student enrollment (3,118 students vs. 2,415 students)

SPU vs. Whitworth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SPU or Whitworth University?

  • Whitworth University is 30.7% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($47,700.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.7% higher at Whitworth University than Seattle Pacific University ($47,700.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Whitworth University ($26,549 vs. $28,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitworth University are 10% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($13,100 vs. $14,409)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University as Whitworth University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whitworth University students is 39.3% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($35,336 vs. $25,359)

SPU vs. Whitworth University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Whitworth University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Whitworth University (90.5%)

SPU vs. Whitworth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SPU or Whitworth 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 Whitworth University and SPU.

  • The graduation rate at Whitworth University is higher than Seattle Pacific University (80% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Whitworth University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $46,200)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $397 lower median federal student loan debt than Whitworth University graduates. ($25,603 vs. $26,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than Whitworth University graduates. ($264 vs. $268)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whitworth 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/