SCU vs. Seattle U

Deciding between Santa Clara University and Seattle 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.

Santa Clara University
Seattle University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Seattle U Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Seattle U Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • Seattle U 7,189
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • Seattle U Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • SCU #61
  • Seattle U #119
  • Religious Affiliation
  • SCU Roman Catholic
  • Seattle U Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • SCU Non-profit
  • Seattle U Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • SCU
  • Seattle U

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Seattle U $56,721
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Seattle U $56,721
  • Room & Board
  • SCU $19,893
  • Seattle U $15,702
  • Average Net Price
  • SCU $53,883
  • Seattle U $36,948
  • Average Grant Aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • Seattle U $35,351
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • SCU 71%
  • Seattle U 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • Seattle U 8,468
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • Seattle U 6,514
  • Acceptance Rate
  • SCU 48%
  • Seattle U 76.9%
  • Enrolled
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Seattle U 13.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • Seattle U 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • Seattle U 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • Seattle U 3.62
  • Typical High School Grades
  • SCU A-
  • Seattle U A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Seattle U Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • SCU Low
  • Seattle U
  • ACT Range
  • SCU 31/33
  • Seattle U 23/30
  • SAT Range
  • SCU 1350/1490
  • Seattle U 1200/1430
  • Submit Test Scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • Seattle U Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • Seattle U Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • Seattle U 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Seattle U
    • Business (27%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • SCU 85%
  • Seattle U 71%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • Seattle U $60,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • SCU 84%
  • Seattle U 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • Seattle U $24,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • SCU $222
  • Seattle U $253

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • SCU 49%
  • Seattle U 37%
  • % Women
  • SCU 51%
  • Seattle U 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • SCU High
  • Seattle U Very High
  • HBCU
  • SCU No
  • Seattle U No
  • % White
  • SCU 49%
  • Seattle U 44%
  • % Asian
  • SCU 16%
  • Seattle U 16%
  • % Black
  • SCU 3%
  • Seattle U 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • SCU 17%
  • Seattle U 9%
  • % Native American
  • SCU 0%
  • Seattle U 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • SCU 0%
  • Seattle U 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • SCU 7%
  • Seattle U 7%
  • % International
  • SCU 3%
  • Seattle U 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • SCU 4%
  • Seattle U 9%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • SCU 55%
  • Seattle U 56%
  • % Out-of-State
  • SCU 36%
  • Seattle U 39%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • SCU Yes
  • Seattle U Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • SCU No
  • Seattle U No
  • Meal Plan
  • SCU Yes
  • Seattle U Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • SCU No
  • Seattle U No
  • Daycare Facility
  • SCU Yes
  • Seattle U No

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Seattle University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than Seattle U based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 7,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Seattle University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Seattle University 10:1.

SCU vs. Seattle U Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Seattle U? 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 University than SCU ($36,948 vs. $53,883).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle University are 21.1% lower than at Santa Clara University ($15,702 vs. $19,893).
  • Santa Clara University is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle U (about $4,572 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $56,721.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at SCU than at Seattle University (about $4,572 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $56,721.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle University than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle University students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($35,351 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Seattle U Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU or Seattle U? 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 Seattle U and SCU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 100 points higher than at Seattle U (1320).
  • Incoming SCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Seattle U).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Seattle University 1200/1430.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Seattle University 23/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Seattle U - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Seattle U Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Seattle U (3.62).
  • Seattle U has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than SCU (48%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 13.6% at Seattle U.

SCU vs. Seattle U Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Seattle U? 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).

  • Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Seattle University's (71%).
  • Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than Seattle U graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $60,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Seattle U graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seattle U graduates ($222 vs. $253).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seattle U students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.