Central Washington University vs. SPU

Central Washington University and Seattle Pacific University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central Washington University
Seattle Pacific University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SPU (83.4% admitted vs 90.6%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1040.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central Washington University. Average net price is $19,898 vs $25,232 at SPU.
  • Graduation: Central Washington University 56% vs SPU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs SPU $50,400 (median).
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Key differences

Central Washington University Seattle Pacific University
Acceptance rate
SPU more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
SPU83.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SPU higher
Central Washington University930-1150
SPU1050-1320
Average net price
Central Washington University $5,334 less
Central Washington University$19,898
SPU$25,232
In-state tuition
Central Washington University $30,990 less
Central Washington University$9,417
SPU$40,407
Out-of-state tuition
Central Washington University $12,881 less
Central Washington University$27,526
SPU$40,407
Graduation rate
SPU +18 pts
Central Washington University56%
SPU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
SPU +$2,600
Central Washington University$47,800
SPU$50,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • SPU 2,885
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • SPU 2,406
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • SPU 83.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • SPU 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • SPU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • SPU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • SPU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • SPU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • SPU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • SPU
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • SPU 1050-1320
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • SPU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • SPU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • SPU Jul 11, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • SPU $40,407
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • SPU $40,407
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • SPU $16,491
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • SPU $25,232
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • SPU $31,558
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • SPU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • SPU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • SPU $50,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • SPU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • SPU $25,603
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • SPU $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • SPU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • SPU
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • SPU Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • SPU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • SPU 2,261
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • SPU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • SPU #291

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 2,261 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 0.1% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($16,480 vs. $16,491).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at SPU than at Central Washington University (about $12,881 more per year; $40,407 vs. $27,526).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Central Washington University (99% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 258% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($31,558 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at SPU than at Central Washington University (24 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Central Washington University and SPU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SPU average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.45 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $4,866 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($20,737 vs. $25,603).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($214 vs. $264).
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 60%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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