Idaho vs. SPU

Should I go to University of Idaho or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Idaho 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 Idaho vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
University of Idaho Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
University of Idaho Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

 Idaho SPU
Location Moscow, ID Seattle, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 11,849 2,659
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #552 #246
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uidaho.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Idaho SPU
Tuition (In State) $6,540 $37,965
Tuition (Out of State) $27,508 $37,965
Room & Board $10,380 $15,498
Avg Net Price $14,377 $26,155
Avg Grant Aid $12,095 $28,070
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 98%

Admission

 Idaho SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,222 2,806
Admitted 9,666 2,556
Acceptance Rate 79.1% 91.1%
Enrolled % 19.3% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/29 20/28
SAT Range 950/1200 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 Jul 11, 2026

Academics

 Idaho SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Idaho SPU
Graduation Rate 51% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,900 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,279 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $251 $264

Diversity

 Idaho SPU
% Men 11% 6%
% Women 11% 16%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 61%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 10% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 8%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Idaho SPU
% In-State 63% 71%
% Out-of-State 28% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Idaho is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (11,849 students vs. 2,659 students)

Idaho vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho or SPU?

  • Seattle Pacific University is 480.5% more expensive to attend than Idaho for in-state tuition ($37,965.00 vs. $6,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38% higher at SPU than University of Idaho ($37,965.00 vs. $27,508.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Idaho than SPU ($14,377 vs. $26,155)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 49.3% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($10,380 vs. $15,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than University of Idaho (98% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 132.1% larger than aid received University of Idaho ($28,070 vs. $12,095)

Idaho vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 84 points higher than at Idaho (1061)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Idaho (23)
  • Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Idaho (3.47)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Idaho (79.1%)

Idaho vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Idaho 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 Idaho.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than University of Idaho (74% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Idaho graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $46,900)
  • University of Idaho students graduate with a $1,324 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($24,279 vs. $25,603)
  • Idaho graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($251 vs. $264)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 61%)

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