MVNU vs. SPU

Deciding between Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Seattle Pacific University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Seattle Pacific University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • MVNU Mount Vernon, OH
  • SPU Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • MVNU Rural Fringe
  • SPU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • MVNU 1,671
  • SPU 2,261
  • Type
  • MVNU Private 4 Year
  • SPU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MVNU #556
  • SPU #291
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MVNU Church of the Nazarene
  • SPU Free Methodist
  • Status
  • MVNU Non-profit
  • SPU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MVNU
  • SPU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MVNU $37,158
  • SPU $40,407
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MVNU $37,158
  • SPU $40,407
  • Room & Board
  • MVNU $10,394
  • SPU $16,491
  • Average Net Price
  • MVNU $22,961
  • SPU $25,232
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MVNU $26,886
  • SPU $31,558
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MVNU 100%
  • SPU 99%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MVNU 1,230
  • SPU 2,885
  • Admitted
  • MVNU 1,035
  • SPU 2,406
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MVNU 84.1%
  • SPU 83.4%
  • Enrolled
  • MVNU 29.3%
  • SPU 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MVNU 1180
  • SPU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • MVNU 21
  • SPU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • MVNU 3.55
  • SPU 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MVNU A-
  • SPU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • MVNU Average
  • SPU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • MVNU
  • SPU
  • ACT Range
  • MVNU 18/25
  • SPU 20/28
  • SAT Range
  • MVNU 1046/1315
  • SPU 1050/1320
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MVNU Test optional
  • SPU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • MVNU
  • SPU Jul 11, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MVNU 13:1
  • SPU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MVNU
    • Business (44%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Human Services (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • SPU
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MVNU 57%
  • SPU 74%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MVNU $46,100
  • SPU $50,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MVNU 65%
  • SPU 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MVNU $26,536
  • SPU $25,603
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MVNU $274
  • SPU $264

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MVNU 44%
  • SPU 34%
  • % Women
  • MVNU 56%
  • SPU 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MVNU Very Low
  • SPU High
  • HBCU
  • MVNU No
  • SPU No
  • % White
  • MVNU 85%
  • SPU 61%
  • % Asian
  • MVNU 0%
  • SPU 11%
  • % Black
  • MVNU 5%
  • SPU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • MVNU 2%
  • SPU 10%
  • % Native American
  • MVNU 0%
  • SPU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MVNU 0%
  • SPU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MVNU 2%
  • SPU 8%
  • % International
  • MVNU 1%
  • SPU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MVNU 5%
  • SPU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MVNU 86%
  • SPU 77%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MVNU 10%
  • SPU 21%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • MVNU Yes
  • SPU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • MVNU No
  • SPU No
  • Meal Plan
  • MVNU Yes
  • SPU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • MVNU No
  • SPU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • MVNU No
  • SPU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, OH 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 MVNU based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University is located in Mount Vernon, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 13:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

MVNU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MVNU 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University than SPU ($22,961 vs. $25,232).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Vernon Nazarene University are 37% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($10,394 vs. $16,491).
  • Seattle Pacific University is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than MVNU (about $3,249 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $37,158.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at SPU than at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (about $3,249 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $37,158.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Vernon Nazarene University than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Mount Vernon Nazarene University students ($31,558 vs. $26,886).

MVNU vs. SPU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MVNU 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 MVNU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 10 points higher than at MVNU (1180).
  • Incoming SPU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at MVNU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 1046/1315; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Vernon Nazarene University 18/25; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MVNU - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman MVNU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at SPU (3.53).
  • MVNU has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than SPU (83.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.3% at MVNU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

MVNU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MVNU 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 Mount Vernon Nazarene University's (57%).
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than MVNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $933 lower median loan debt than MVNU graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,536).
  • Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MVNU graduates ($264 vs. $274).
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MVNU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

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.