Seattle U vs SPU Seattle
Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University, two prominent private institutions in the heart of Seattle, offer distinct educational experiences. Seattle University, a Jesuit Catholic university, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on social justice, while Seattle Pacific University, a Christian liberal arts university, emphasizes faith-based learning and community engagement. With acceptance rates of 75% and 78%, respectively, both universities offer competitive admissions. Seattle University's popular majors include nursing, business, and psychology, while Seattle Pacific University excels in fields such as engineering, education, and music. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two esteemed institutions, considering factors such as student demographics, graduation rates, and available programs, to determine the best fit for your academic aspirations and personal values.
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![]() Seattle Pacific University |
![]() Seattle University |
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Overview |
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Location | Seattle, Washington | Seattle, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 85.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.9% | 82.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$55
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SAT range | 1050 - 1300 | 1120 - 1330 |
ACT range | 20 - 28 | 24 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | 26.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,359 | 8,539 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,008 | 7,012 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 580 | 994 |
Yield rate | 14.5% | 14.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $53,766 | $67,170 |
Average net price | $26,153 | $36,671 |
Tuition | $35,100 | $48,510 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,350
Meal plan:
$6,054
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Room/dormitory:
$8,985
Meal plan:
$4,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $37,230 |
99.0%
Average amount $28,346 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
55.0%
Average amount $5,468 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,324 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $14,470 |
4.0%
Average amount $22,022 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,640
Men 32.8% Women 67.2% |
4,241
Men 38.7% Women 61.3% |
Graduate students |
803
Men 26.0% Women 74.0% |
3,027
Men 33.9% Women 66.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 26.8% | 56.4% |
International students | 5.5% | 9.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,779 | 2,448 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Washington California Hawaii Oregon Colorado | Washington California Hawaii Oregon Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.9% | 74.9% |
Dropout rate | 21.2% | 24.6% |
Transferred out | 12.7% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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