University of Puget Sound vs. SPU

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

University of Puget Sound SPU
Location Tacoma, WA Seattle, WA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 2,023 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #182 #270
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pugetsound.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Puget Sound SPU
Tuition (In State) $57,330 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $57,330 $36,504
Room & Board $14,430 $14,409
Avg Net Price $41,363 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $32,482 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

University of Puget Sound SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,345 3,895
Admitted 4,418 3,533
Acceptance Rate 82.7% 90.7%
Enrolled % 9.2% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/32 20/27
SAT Range 1170/1390 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 Jan 15, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

University of Puget Sound SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

University of Puget Sound SPU
Graduation Rate 73% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,600 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $279 $264

Diversity

University of Puget Sound SPU
% Men 40% 31%
% Women 60% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 61%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 7% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 8%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

University of Puget Sound SPU
% In-State 23% 71%
% Out-of-State 76% 26%

Campus

University of Puget Sound 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 University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (3,118 students vs. 2,023 students)

University of Puget Sound vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Puget Sound or SPU?

  • University of Puget Sound is 57.1% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($57,330.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.1% higher at University of Puget Sound than Seattle Pacific University ($57,330.00 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 Puget Sound ($26,549 vs. $41,363)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 0.1% lower than costs at University of Puget Sound ($14,409 vs. $14,430)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Puget Sound than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Puget Sound students is 28.1% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($32,482 vs. $25,359)

University of Puget Sound vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than University of Puget Sound (82.7%)

University of Puget Sound vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Puget Sound 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 Puget Sound.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than University of Puget Sound (74% vs. 73%)
  • Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn on average $7,200 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($57,600 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More University of Puget Sound 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/