SU vs. SPU

Should I go to Southwestern University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SU or SPU 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 Baylor PLU Trinity Austin College George Fox University UT Austin University of Dallas Whitworth University TCU UT Dallas
Southwestern University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Southwestern University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Southwestern University Seattle Pacific University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SU SPU
Location Georgetown, TX Seattle, WA
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,457 2,659
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #189 #246
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southwestern.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SU SPU
Tuition (In State) $50,558 $37,965
Tuition (Out of State) $50,558 $37,965
Room & Board $13,628 $15,498
Avg Net Price $30,687 $26,155
Avg Grant Aid $32,956 $28,070
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

SU SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,585 2,806
Admitted 2,573 2,556
Acceptance Rate 39.1% 91.1%
Enrolled % 15.7% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 24/30 20/28
SAT Range 1170/1340 1050/1320
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 Feb 1, 2026 Jul 11, 2026

Academics

SU SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

SU SPU
Graduation Rate 73% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,893 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $278 $264

Diversity

SU SPU
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 0% 16%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 61%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 22% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 8%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

SU SPU
% In-State 89% 71%
% Out-of-State 9% 26%

Campus

SU SPU
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 SU based on total student enrollment (2,659 students vs. 1,457 students)

SU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or SPU?

  • Southwestern University is 33.2% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($50,558.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.2% higher at SU than Seattle Pacific University ($50,558.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than SU ($26,155 vs. $30,687)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 13.7% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($13,628 vs. $15,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southwestern University than Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 17.4% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($32,956 vs. $28,070)

SU vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Southwestern University (1168) is 23 points higher than at SPU (1145)
  • Incoming SU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted 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 (91.1%) than SU (39.1%)

SU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SU or SPU? 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 SPU and SU.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Southwestern University (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern University earn on average $7,000 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,290 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($25,603 vs. $26,893)
  • SPU graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans 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/