SU vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,440 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

SU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or SPU? 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 Pacific University than SU ($25,232 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 8.6% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,072 vs. $16,491).
• Southwestern University is 33.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $13,406 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at SU than at Seattle Pacific University (about $13,406 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University as at Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($35,162 vs. $31,558).

SU vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU or SPU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SPU and SU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 30 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Incoming SU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southwestern University 26/30; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SPU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at SU (3.5).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

SU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU and SPU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Southwestern University's (73%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,290 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($264 vs. $278).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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.