About Seattle Pacific University

Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University. is a Private college. Located in Washington, which is a city setting in Washington, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,095 full time undergraduate students, and 966 full time graduate students.

The Seattle Pacific University Academic calendar runs on a Quarter basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 215 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Seattle Pacific University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate87%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range990-1230
ACT Range21-27

Admissions at SPU are considered Less Selective, with ,41% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 17 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

92% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 60% were in the top quarter, and 32% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Seattle Pacific University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
31%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
81%
“We bought the gear”
14%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
51%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
27%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
51%
“They keep regular office hours”
49%
“They”re always available”
96%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
4%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
33%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
4%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
22%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
16%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
35%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
53%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
31%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
5%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
81%
“We bought the gear”
14%
“We live for the big game”
4%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
51%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
27%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
51%
“They keep regular office hours”
49%
“They”re always available”
96%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
4%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
33%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
29%
“We only party on weekends”
4%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
22%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
16%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship
  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    149 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    121 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    154 Students rated campus food 3.7 stars. 22 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    157 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    157 Students rated class size 4.6 stars. 64 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    156 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    156 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    157 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 27 % gave the school a 5.0.

Seattle Pacific University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Seattle Pacific University?

50 Students rated Seattle Pacific University

Freya - 03/23/2024

Seattle Pacific University is a wonderful liberal arts school with the goal of acknowledge others' cultures and beliefs as a form of further education. The campus is small but beautiful space that's near the water, with great on-capus living that have nice views. They seem to offer a good amount of extracurricular activities and sports. Also offer an exceptional Honors Program based in a sociology view.

Alayna - 07/22/2022

I am a recently enrolled student for SPU, but from a surface level I can see that culture within the university is close. There are some concerning political views, but my main attention is to study here. From what I see is that the student body takes every students voice with upmost high priority as well.

Marie Mar - 04/08/2020

The staff at SPU makes all students feel welcomed. Since the majority of classes are small, it makes learning much easier. This also gives the professors a chance of getting to know their students, creating a special bond! SPU is in a great area of Seattle, it isn't too far nor too close of downtown Seattle. The school is a medium-sized campus, the walk to classes is not too bad. I lived in Hill Hall for my first year and the community in that hall was heartwarming!

Lauren - 04/05/2020

I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience at SPU. I've made some of my very best friends, and found it easy to meet new people, since everyone on campus is so welcoming. All of my professors know me by name, and professors from past quarters will say hi to me when they see me around campus. I love this school!

Seattle Pacific University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Seattle Pacific University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Seattle Pacific University is 87%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Be real, be yourself, and be open.

    Read all 197 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    A variety of students with a variety of opinions on various matters, but willing to listen to all viewpoints.

    Read all 40 answers
  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    A small christian school with 3x as many girls as boys in a residential seattle neighborhood.

    Read all 39 answers
  5. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about SPU is its community. The community is very welcoming and strong, and as a freshman moving away from home, SPU really made it easy for transition. Each hall floor has their own traditions and emphasize bonding, which helps you make friends fast. If you are open, you really do form lifelong bonds. There is also a lot of extracurricular activities that you can get involved in (clubs, intramural sports, etc.) where you can meet people who have the same interests.

    Read all 39 answers
  6. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known how much more expensive it was going to get. Tuition keeps rising and financial aid doesn't keep up. Thankfully I have state work-study so finding my jobs was a little easier. I also wish I had known to get a laptop right from the start--desktops don't belong in dorm rooms.

    Read all 38 answers
  7. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The only thing that comes to mind is the housing situation. SPU has great dorms, but they have enrolled more students than they have room for. This led to a new mandate put into effect at the beginning of this year: dorms are no longer available to juniors or seniors (there are exceptions). Upperclassmen must find off campus lodging. I don't think it is right for the university to change the rules on students who enrolled with the understanding that they would have on-campus lodging for four years. A new dorm is scheduled but it will take time.

    Read all 35 answers
  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People who like to party and do illegal substances should not attend this school because it is generally discouraged and takes away from learning.

    Read all 29 answers
  9. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The cost. It is my intention to get through undergraduate school without any loans, so finding way to achieve that can be very hard. Seattle Pacific is a very expensive school and even with the best scholarships they offer you'll stil be paying more then half the total cost of attendance.

    Read all 29 answers
  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who would like a safe enviroment that still has oppertunities where they would be challenged. Someone who is really to dive into community.

    Read all 23 answers
  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I probably brag most about the class sizes at Seattle Pacific University. There are many advantages to a small school, small class sizes being one of them. I love the intimate setting of the classrooms at SPU. I get to know the name of everyone in most of my classes, and am on a first-name basis with the professor. I thrive in this sort of learning environment where I can engage in class discussions with my professors and peers.

    Read all 22 answers
  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Seattle Pacific Univerisity is best known for being diverse and providing students with the best education possible to achieve their goals and dreams.

    Read all 20 answers
  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    SPU is a small community where you will quickly get to know most of the undergraduate population. SPU is a Christian university and this will be present during involvement on campus and in the classroom--but not overwhelmingly so. Professors engage students and like diverse and critical thinking.

    Read all 20 answers
  14. What are the academics like at your school?

    One of the things that I love about Seattle Pacific is that my professors do in fact know my name. When I was applying for a study abroad program last year, I had to have at least two professor references. Both of my professors who I asked were more than willing to do it because of the fact that we are able to create interpersonal relationships with our professors . They remembered my work ethic, and most of al my attendance. Even after not having one of the professors I asked for over a year, she was still more than wiling to write me a recommendation which essentially allowed me to get into the study abroad program. One of my favorite classes at SPU was my interpersonal communication class, with the professor that wrote me the great recommendation for my study abroad program. In this class, she was dramatic and outrageous to demonstrate certain aspects of basic human communication. She was always animated, and very entertaining. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't even in class. Students are constantly meeting for study groups, depending on the class often as a couple times a week. During finals week, often classrooms are reserved and dedicated for students to hold their own class in order to prepare for finals. Many students are apart of the honors program at SPU UScholars, and hold intellectual conversations in coffee shops on campus, as well as in Gwinn Commons, the campus cafeteria. From the communication major, I have discovered that discussion is the greatest learning tool. We discuss modes of communication that are evolving in the world, and for classes such as conflict management, we practice simulations in class in order to practice techniques we learn. The academic requirements are there to ensure that students are doing their absolute best. We have a mentorship program on campus that helps students outreach to companies that they aspire to learn more about, and possibly intern with. There is also a class that is geared towards helping students learn how to apply and find jobs after graduation.

    Read all 3 answers
  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Seattle Pacific University is a superb institution of higher learning that incorporates its unique faith perspective with rigorous academics. What's wonderful about this institution though, is that despite it being a Christian university, it does not push its beliefs or worldview onto you. There is no mandatory chapel, and the required theology classes only serve to ask questions, not answer them. You are free to believe and think as you will, and you are encourage to share those opinions, as long as they are not derogatory, prejudiced, or otherwise demeaning.

    Read all 3 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There are many different traditions on campus that occur in the dorms. Each dorm floor has their own specific "initiation", which involves wholesome fun. For example, the floor I lived on kidnaps you, drives you to different places, and has you complete tasks. There is a candle lit ceremony that is fake, which they later explain. Big sisters are given out, like in sororities. A tradition called Tradition happens every year on campus before Christmas break. Everyone dresses up in their best Christmas outfit and goes to Tiffany loop where there are Christmas carols, pictures with santa, card making and hot coco drinking. Popular student groups are generally bible studies and community outreach programs. There are a very minimal amount of students who participate in underage drinking at SPU. Generally, students will find a movie to watch, a game to play, or an activity to go do on weekends. Last weekend, I had to work. However, when I lived in the dorms, my life was much more active with activities such as ice skating, movie going, and organized games such as cops and robbers, and apples to apples.

    Read all 2 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    This is a common stereotype of Seattle Pacific University that I believe to be accurate to some degree or another. Because it is a "premier Christian university"(taken from the missions statement) most of the attendee's of Seattle Pacific are going to be Christian's. However, by "hardcore Christians" this stereotype entails more than just the basics of Christianity. One, it entails that most of the students are going to follow yet another stereotype under the "hardcore Christian" stereotype: ring by spring. Ring by spring is a term used at Seattle Pacific for the undergraduate community who meet their significant other, and within a matter of months the tie the knot after only knowing each other for a short period of time. Judging from my personal experience, I have personally known more than five people who have gotten engaged within under a year of dating someone, or become married in this time frame as well. There is also a stereotype of the students being judgmental and "cliquely" at Seattle Pacific. From experience and observation over the past three years, I can confirm this as well. However, stereotypes are stereotypes, there are truth and exceptions to each one. Depending on the type of people you get along with and meet, you are able to avoid all of these. There are many genuine inspiring Christians, and non Christians for that matter, who attend Seattle Pacific University making it a unique college experience.

    Read all 2 answers
  18. What do students complain about most?

    Gwinn, "The Ratio", and tuition are the three most common things that I hear people complain about on campus. Gwinn is the only dining hall on campus and it can get tiring eating pretty much the same thing for every meal. That being said some nights Gwinn can be really on point and have some awesome and different food options. "The Ratio" is definitely an SPU running joke, it refers to the number of girls compared to guys enrolled here.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

67%

female

33%

male

3,095

Total Undergrad Enrollment

966

Total Grad Students

40%

Out-Of-State

55%

In-State

5%

International

Organizations

N/A

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

42%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
11%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
10%
% White or Caucasian
58%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

98% of students attending Seattle Pacific University receive some sort of financial aid. 29% were awarded federal grants. While 63% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$38,940

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,041

Books and Supplies

$11,781

Room and Board

51,762

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$22,530
$30 - $48K
$24,357
$48 - $75K
$26,150
$75 - $110K
$29,247
$110K & UP
$33,206

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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