Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Seattle, WA that costs an average of $25,419 a year after financial aid, admits 83% of applicants and graduates 55% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$25,419
Acceptance rate
83%
Graduation rate
55%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$71,277
Private nonprofitLarge city1,762 undergraduates
Cost of SPU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $60,283 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $44,367 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $16,491 |
| Books and supplies | $990 |
| Average net price after aid | $25,419 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $19,265 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $22,448 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $16,952 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $26,925 |
| $110,001+ | $30,941 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with SPU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 83% |
|---|---|
| Test scores | Neither required nor recommended |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 55% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 72% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $57,759 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $71,277 |
| Rank in Washington (earnings) | 9th of 27 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $22,827 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $259 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 42% |
| Students with federal loans | 48% |
Majors and programs at SPU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (58)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 176 | $90,324 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | 49 | $80,129 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 34 | $79,461 | $23,855 |
| Business/Commerce | 131 | $63,025 | $26,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 21 | $57,081 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67 | $51,546 | $23,403 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 25 | $51,332 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 38 | $46,815 | — |
| Political Science and Government | 34 | $45,325 | $25,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 60 | $43,835 | $21,917 |
| Sociology | 32 | $38,356 | $21,503 |
| Psychology | 141 | $38,184 | $19,500 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 64 | $33,917 | $24,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 19 | — | — |
| Apparel and Textiles | 1 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 11 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 13 | — | — |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 13 | — | — |
| Biology | 17 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 7 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 9 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | 6 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 6 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 17 | — | — |
| Criminology | 2 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 12 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 13 | — | — |
| Economics | 19 | — | — |
| Education | 30 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 15 | — | — |
| Engineering | 3 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 34 | — | — |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 2 | — | — |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | 3 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 3 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 15 | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 25 | — | — |
| History | 21 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 8 | — | — |
| Journalism | 3 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 4 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 7 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 12 | — | — |
| Music | 13 | — | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | 17 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 10 | — | — |
| Physics | 8 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 7 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 11 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 3 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | — | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 3 | — | — |
Certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 66 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (20)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 7 | $101,784 | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 29 | $75,120 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 133 | $72,725 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 29 | $72,435 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 41 | $70,299 | $41,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 46 | $45,298 | $55,331 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 26 | $42,510 | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10 | — | — |
| Business/Commerce | 1 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 26 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 3 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 2 | — | — |
| Education | 3 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 11 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Psychology | — | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 16 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 28 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 39 | $122,408 | $66,391 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 32 | $79,957 | $183,798 |
| Education | 6 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 11 | — | — |
| Psychology | 20 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (4)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 24 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 37 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 200 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Washington
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth University | Spokane | $23,009 | 90% | $64,055 |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | $32,507 | 72% | $71,918 |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | $29,486 | 38% | $70,813 |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | $20,652 | 78% | $71,109 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | $27,786 | — | $67,140 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | $25,472 | 90% | $70,376 |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle | — | — | $66,765 |
| Heritage University | Toppenish | $10,747 | — | $58,279 |
About SPU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Seattle, WA |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 1,762 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
| Website | spu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is SPU's acceptance rate?
Seattle Pacific University admits 83% of applicants.
How much does SPU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $60,283 a year (tuition and fees: $44,367). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $25,419 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $19,265.
How much do SPU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $71,277 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 9th of 27 similar colleges in Washington. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($90,324 a year after graduation).
What is SPU's graduation rate?
55% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 72% of first-year students return for a second year.