Pacific vs. SPU

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

Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SPU (83.4% admitted vs 89.6%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: SPU. Average net price is $25,232 vs $35,235 at Pacific.
  • Graduation: Pacific 61% vs SPU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pacific $46,800 vs SPU $50,400 (median).
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Key differences

Pacific University Seattle Pacific University
Acceptance rate
SPU more selective
Pacific89.6%
SPU83.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SPU higher
Pacific900-1240
SPU1050-1320
Average net price
SPU $10,003 less
Pacific$35,235
SPU$25,232
In-state tuition
SPU $15,967 less
Pacific$56,374
SPU$40,407
Out-of-state tuition
SPU $15,967 less
Pacific$56,374
SPU$40,407
Graduation rate
SPU +13 pts
Pacific61%
SPU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
SPU +$3,600
Pacific$46,800
SPU$50,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Pacific 2,988
  • SPU 2,885
  • Admitted
  • Pacific 2,676
  • SPU 2,406
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pacific 89.6%
  • SPU 83.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pacific 13.1%
  • SPU 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pacific 1070
  • SPU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pacific 23
  • SPU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pacific 3.73
  • SPU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pacific A-
  • SPU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pacific Average
  • SPU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Pacific
  • SPU
  • SAT range
  • Pacific 900-1240
  • SPU 1050-1320
  • ACT range
  • Pacific 18-29
  • SPU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Pacific Test optional
  • SPU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Pacific Aug 25, 2027
  • SPU Jul 11, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pacific $56,374
  • SPU $40,407
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pacific $56,374
  • SPU $40,407
  • Room & board
  • Pacific $15,620
  • SPU $16,491
  • Average net price
  • Pacific $35,235
  • SPU $25,232
  • Average grant aid
  • Pacific $37,139
  • SPU $31,558
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pacific 98%
  • SPU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pacific 61%
  • SPU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pacific $46,800
  • SPU $50,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pacific 78%
  • SPU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pacific $26,156
  • SPU $25,603
  • Median loan payment
  • Pacific $270
  • SPU $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pacific 10:1
  • SPU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pacific
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • SPU
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Pacific Forest Grove, OR
  • SPU Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • Pacific Large Suburban
  • SPU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pacific 3,427
  • SPU 2,261
  • Type
  • Pacific Private 4 Year
  • SPU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pacific #427
  • SPU #291

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pacific University is larger than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,427 students vs. 2,261 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pacific University is located in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific University 10:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 5.3% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,620 vs. $16,491).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at Pacific than at Seattle Pacific University (about $15,967 more per year; $56,374 vs. $40,407).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Pacific University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($37,139 vs. $31,558).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at SPU than at Pacific (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Pacific, test-free at SPU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pacific average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at SPU (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $553 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,156).
  • Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($264 vs. $270).
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 78%).

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

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