DUofC vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

DUofC vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC or SPU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than DUofC ($25,232 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 1.8% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($16,191 vs. $16,491).
• Dominican University of California is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $11,754 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at DUofC than at Seattle Pacific University (about $11,754 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($34,224 vs. $31,558).

DUofC vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC or SPU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SPU and DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 70 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSeattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at SPU (3.53).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than SPU (83.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 15.8% at SPU.

DUofC vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC and SPU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($264 vs. $279).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.