SU vs. SPU

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

Southwestern University
Seattle Pacific University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SU (43.1% admitted vs 83.4%). Typical SAT 1220 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: SPU. Average net price is $25,232 vs $32,228 at SU.
  • Graduation: SU 73% vs SPU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SU $57,400 vs SPU $50,400 (median).
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Key differences

Southwestern University Seattle Pacific University
Acceptance rate
SU more selective
SU43.1%
SPU83.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SPU higher
SU1130-1300
SPU1050-1320
Average net price
SPU $6,996 less
SU$32,228
SPU$25,232
In-state tuition
SPU $13,406 less
SU$53,813
SPU$40,407
Out-of-state tuition
SPU $13,406 less
SU$53,813
SPU$40,407
Graduation rate
SPU +1 pts
SU73%
SPU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
SU +$7,000
SU$57,400
SPU$50,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SU 6,313
  • SPU 2,885
  • Admitted
  • SU 2,718
  • SPU 2,406
  • Acceptance rate
  • SU 43.1%
  • SPU 83.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SU 13.8%
  • SPU 15.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SU 1220
  • SPU 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • SU 28
  • SPU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • SU 3.5
  • SPU 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • SU A-
  • SPU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SU Challenging
  • SPU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • SU Low
  • SPU
  • SAT range
  • SU 1130-1300
  • SPU 1050-1320
  • ACT range
  • SU 26-30
  • SPU 20-28
  • Submit test scores
  • SU Test optional
  • SPU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • SU Feb 1, 2027
  • SPU Jul 11, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SU $53,813
  • SPU $40,407
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SU $53,813
  • SPU $40,407
  • Room & board
  • SU $15,072
  • SPU $16,491
  • Average net price
  • SU $32,228
  • SPU $25,232
  • Average grant aid
  • SU $35,162
  • SPU $31,558
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SU 99%
  • SPU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • SU 73%
  • SPU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SU $57,400
  • SPU $50,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • SU 80%
  • SPU 82%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SU $26,893
  • SPU $25,603
  • Median loan payment
  • SU $278
  • SPU $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SU 11:1
  • SPU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • SU
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (8%)
  • SPU
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • SU Georgetown, TX
  • SPU Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • SU Distant Town
  • SPU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SU 1,440
  • SPU 2,261
  • Type
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • SPU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SU #196
  • SPU #291

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Seattle Pacific University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 1,440 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 8.6% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,072 vs. $16,491).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.2% higher at SU than at Seattle Pacific University (about $13,406 more per year; $53,813 vs. $40,407).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University as at Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($35,162 vs. $31,558).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at SU than at SPU (28 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SU, test-free at SPU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; SPU Jul 11, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SPU average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at SU (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,290 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($25,603 vs. $26,893).
  • Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($264 vs. $278).
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 80%).

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

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