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Seattle Pacific University

SPU

Seattle, Washington 98119-1997

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Known for health sciences

Seattle Pacific University is a private institution in Seattle with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1191, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

62% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $64,506 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $24,820.

Established
1891
Motto
Engaging the Culture, Changing the World
Mascot
Talon the Falcon
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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91%Acceptance
1191SAT Avg
2,073Students
10:1Student:Faculty
62%Grad Rate
$64,506Earnings 10yr
$24,820Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate91.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1191

Reading & WritingMid: 595
530660
MathMid: 580
520660

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2028

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$38,814
Room & Board$15,498
Books & Supplies$768
Total Cost of Attendance$53,986
Average Net Price$24,820
Median Debt at Graduation$24,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$254

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$19,348
$30–48K$18,024
$48–75K$23,893
$75–110K$29,476
$110K+$32,524

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

49.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,946

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

16

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (91)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
2,073
Gender Split
67% / 33%
Women / Men
First Generation
23%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 38%
Black 8%
Hispanic 19%
Asian 16%
Two+ 10%
Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate62.2%
Freshman Retention74.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$51,496
10 Years$64,506

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#196
vs 2024
Forbes
#289
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#195
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Varsity athletics

History & Fun Facts

  • History Seattle Pacific University was founded in 1891 by Free Methodist pioneers to train missionaries for overseas service.
  • The first permanent building built on campus, designed by notable architect John B.
  • In May 2022, the university's board of trustees voted to keep rules in place that ban LGBTQ people from becoming employees, prompting student protests.
  • In September 2022, multiple faculty, students, and staff brought a lawsuit against the Board of trustees for breach of fiduciary duty, a suit that was later dismissed on all but one count.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

132Very High

Estimated from WA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Seattlepop. 740K
3 mi(5 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
148 mi(257 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
682 mi(1182 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SEA Seattle-Tacoma14 mi
PDX Portland OR143 mi
BOI Boise409 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2486 mi · ~71h 49m drive
New York, NY2403 mi · ~69h 25m drive
Hartford, CT2431 mi · ~70h 14m drive
Providence, RI2487 mi · ~71h 51m drive
Albany, NY2354 mi · ~68h drive
Syracuse, NY2233 mi · ~64h 31m drive
Rochester, NY2162 mi · ~62h 27m drive
Buffalo, NY2112 mi · ~61h 1m drive
Philadelphia, PA2374 mi · ~68h 35m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2134 mi · ~61h 39m drive
Harrisburg, PA2284 mi · ~65h 59m drive
Newark, NJ2395 mi · ~69h 11m drive
Washington, DC2323 mi · ~67h 7m drive
Baltimore, MD2329 mi · ~67h 17m drive
Atlanta, GA2180 mi · ~62h 59m drive
Charlotte, NC2283 mi · ~65h 57m drive
Raleigh, NC2363 mi · ~68h 16m drive
Miami, FL2734 mi · ~78h 59m drive
Orlando, FL2549 mi · ~73h 38m drive
Tampa, FL2528 mi · ~73h 2m drive
Nashville, TN1972 mi · ~56h 58m drive
New Orleans, LA2101 mi · ~60h 42m drive
Richmond, VA2353 mi · ~67h 59m drive
Chicago, IL1734 mi · ~50h 6m drive
Detroit, MI1934 mi · ~55h 52m drive
Minneapolis, MN1392 mi · ~40h 13m drive
St. Louis, MO1722 mi · ~49h 45m drive
Kansas City, MO1505 mi · ~43h 29m drive
Indianapolis, IN1869 mi · ~54h drive
Columbus, OH2010 mi · ~58h 4m drive
Cleveland, OH2022 mi · ~58h 25m drive
Milwaukee, WI1689 mi · ~48h 48m drive
Dallas, TX1682 mi · ~48h 35m drive
Houston, TX1892 mi · ~54h 39m drive
Austin, TX1772 mi · ~51h 11m drive
San Antonio, TX1789 mi · ~51h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA964 mi · ~27h 51m drive
San Francisco, CA682 mi · ~19h 42m drive
San Diego, CA1067 mi · ~30h 49m drive
Seattle, WA3 mi · ~5 min drive
Portland, OR148 mi · ~4h 17m drive
Denver, CO1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Phoenix, AZ1118 mi · ~32h 18m drive
Salt Lake City, UT703 mi · ~20h 19m drive
Honolulu, HI2680 mi · ~77h 25m drive
Northern (cold winters, cool summers)

Deadline Calendar

Seattle Pacific University Application Checklist

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