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#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

SPU Admission Requirements

Seattle, Washington

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Your chances of getting into Seattle Pacific University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

90.7%
Admission Difficulty for Seattle Pacific University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SPU is 90.7%.  Its admission rate is the 16th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SPU and can you get accepted?

Seattle Pacific University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,533 out of the 3,895 who applied were admitted.

Seattle Pacific University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SPU?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Seattle Pacific University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.53 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1220 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT

SPU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.53

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Seattle Pacific University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SPU are to have around a 3.53 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.53 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as SPU accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SPU is 3.53 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SPU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Seattle Pacific University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.15% Good
3.75 to 3.99 26.94% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 20.55% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 20.03% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.47% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 8.98% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.86% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

SPU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Seattle Pacific University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 25% of students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1080-1350

Applicants Submitting SAT 

25%
SAT Scores for Seattle Pacific University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1080
SAT Scores for Seattle Pacific University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 670
Composite 75th Percentile 1350
Average SAT Score 1220

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Seattle Pacific University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SPU is 1220 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1080-1350. Students who get into Seattle Pacific University score in the top 45 percent of all SAT test takers..  SPU ranks #11 in the state of Washington for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1220 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SPU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1080 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1080, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 940, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Seattle Pacific University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1220 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1215, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1350 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

Seattle Pacific University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1350 and Above Good >95%
1215 to 1350 Avg + 91%-95%
1080 to 1215 Avg - 84%-91%
945 to 1080 Reach 74%-84%
Less than 945 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

SPU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

8%
ACT Scores for Seattle Pacific University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Seattle Pacific University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SPU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SPU is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27.  The school ranks #12 in Washington for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

8 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Seattle Pacific University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Seattle Pacific University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SPU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 27 ACT score.

Seattle Pacific University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >95%
23 to 27 Avg + 91%-95%
20 to 23 Avg - 85%-91%
17 to 20 Reach 77%-85%
Less than 17 Low <77%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Seattle Pacific University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,683 1,212 3,895
Accepted 2,453 1,080 3,533
Acceptance Rate 91% 89% 91%
Enrolled 365 173 538
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 16% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 11, 2025

Days left to Apply

198

Applicants have 198 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jul 11, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Seattle Pacific University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Seattle Pacific University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Seattle Pacific University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Seattle Pacific University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Seattle Pacific University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.53 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1220 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Seattle Pacific University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236577 IPEDS survey data for Seattle Pacific University.

Last updated February 24, 2024