University of Dayton vs. SPU

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

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University of Dayton vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
University of Dayton Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
University of Dayton Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

University of Dayton SPU
Location Dayton, OH Seattle, WA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 11,674 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #230 #270
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website udayton.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Dayton SPU
Tuition (In State) $46,170 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $46,170 $36,504
Room & Board $15,390 $14,409
Avg Net Price $30,590 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $31,920 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 99%

Admission

University of Dayton SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,864 3,895
Admitted 13,969 3,533
Acceptance Rate 74.1% 90.7%
Enrolled % 14.3% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/30 20/27
SAT Range 1158/1363 1080/1350
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 Feb 1, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

University of Dayton SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

University of Dayton SPU
Graduation Rate 74% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,300 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $268 $264

Diversity

University of Dayton SPU
% Men 52% 31%
% Women 48% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 78% 61%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 3% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 8%
% International 11% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Dayton SPU
% In-State 54% 71%
% Out-of-State 45% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Dayton is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (11,674 students vs. 3,118 students)

University of Dayton vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Dayton or SPU?

  • University of Dayton is 26.5% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($46,170.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.5% higher at University of Dayton than Seattle Pacific University ($46,170.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than University of Dayton ($26,549 vs. $30,590)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 6.8% lower than costs at University of Dayton ($14,409 vs. $15,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than University of Dayton (99% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Dayton students is 25.9% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($31,920 vs. $25,359)

University of Dayton vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Dayton (1187) is 42 points higher than at SPU (1145)
  • Incoming University of Dayton students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman University of Dayton students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than University of Dayton (74.1%)

University of Dayton vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Dayton 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 University of Dayton.

  • The graduation rate at University of Dayton is the same as at Seattle Pacific University (74% vs. 74%)
  • Graduates from University of Dayton earn on average $6,900 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $397 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Dayton graduates. ($25,603 vs. $26,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than University of Dayton graduates. ($264 vs. $268)
  • More University of Dayton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SPU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/