Seattle U vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Seattle University in Seattle, WA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (7,189 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Seattle University is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Seattle University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Seattle University 10:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Seattle U vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seattle U or Whitman College? 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 Seattle University than Whitman College ($36,948 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Whitman College are 4% lower than at Seattle University ($15,080 vs. $15,702).
• Whitman College is 12.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle U (about $7,329 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at Whitman College than at Seattle University (about $7,329 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle University than at Whitman College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whitman College students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Seattle University students ($40,489 vs. $35,351).

Seattle U vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Seattle U or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College and Seattle U.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 80 points higher than at Seattle U (1320).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Seattle U).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle University 1200/1430; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Seattle University 23/30; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Seattle U - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Seattle U Jan 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Whitman College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Seattle U (3.62).
• Seattle U has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at Seattle U vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Seattle U vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Seattle U and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Seattle University's (71%).
• Graduates from Seattle University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Whitman College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,400 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Seattle U graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seattle U graduates ($180 vs. $253).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seattle U students, three years after graduation. (93% vs. 75%)

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.