Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, Washington · Private Nonprofit · 83.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
Seattle Pacific University scores 68 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The school is an evangelical Christian private in Seattle (1,762 enrollment) with $40,407 sticker tuition and a $24,488 net price. Institutional outcomes are moderate: $40,900 median 6-year earnings, 8.1-year payback, 62% completion rate. The bright spot is the repayment rate of 86.8% -- well above average, suggesting graduates manage debt effectively. Debt-to-earnings of 0.587 is elevated. The 35.3% Pell rate indicates a moderate-to-high proportion of students with financial need. Program variation is extreme. CS (25 graduates) earns $82,557 year-one and $133,039 at year four (A grade, debt-to-earnings 0.229) -- the Seattle tech market is working for SPU CS graduates. Nursing (87 graduates) earns $81,671 year-one (B+ grade). Engineering General earns $71,770 year-one (B grade, only 1 graduate). Mechanical Engineering earns $71,039 year-one (B grade, 21 graduates). Business Administration earns $56,283 year-one (60 graduates, B grade). Against this, Kinesiology earns $25,625 year-one (F grade, debt-to-earnings 1.053). Physiology earns $26,478 year-one (D grade). Sociology earns $25,958 year-one (D grade). SPU is a school where program selection is decisive: STEM, nursing, and business graduates access Seattle's labor market effectively; humanities and social sciences graduates at $40,407 tuition face a difficult financial equation.
Seattle Pacific University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,407/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,407/yr |
| Average net price | $24,488/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $97,952 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,506 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $254 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,762 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Seattle Pacific University is $40,407/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $24,488/year, or roughly $97,952 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $20,735/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,819/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $254 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,506 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.59 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,735 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,559 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,332 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,976 |
| $110,001+ | $29,819 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $20,735 per year -- about $83,000 over four years. Against $40,900 median earnings and a 62% completion rate, this is a moderate commitment. The 86.8% repayment rate is a positive indicator. For CS and nursing students who complete, the Seattle labor market supports strong returns. For low-income students in social sciences or kinesiology, the financial risk is substantial.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $18,559 (30001-48000 bracket) to $27,976 (75001-110000 bracket). The 30001-48000 bracket pays less than the lowest bracket -- a modest inversion. Four-year costs of $74,000-$112,000 span a wide range. Program choice is decisive at these cost levels: STEM and healthcare students can construct a strong ROI case; humanities and social science students face a marginal-to-poor financial picture at $20k-$28k per year.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $29,819 per year -- about $119,000 over four years. At this cost, only CS and nursing clearly justify enrollment on ROI grounds alone. Higher-income families who value the Christian liberal arts identity and Seattle location may accept a lower earnings return. For academically strong students, University of Washington's Honors Program provides a substantially lower-cost alternative in the same labor market.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Seattle Pacific University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $93,334 | B+ |
| Psychology | $58,749 | C |
| Business Administration and Management | $84,493 | B |
| Design and Applied Arts | $68,547 | C |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $26,478 | D |
| Computer Science | $133,039 | A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,039 | B |
| International Relations | $62,972 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,411 | D |
| Sociology | $46,974 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
CS (25 graduates) earns $82,557 year-one and $133,039 at year four (A grade, debt-to-earnings 0.229, median debt $18,908). The A grade reflects exceptional earnings relative to modest borrowing. Seattle's tech market proximity -- Microsoft, Amazon, and the broader Eastside tech corridor -- drives CS outcomes. Year-one of $83k and four-year of $133k are outstanding. The small cohort (25) reflects SPU's size, but these graduates access top-tier Seattle tech employment. For CS students, SPU delivers Exceptional Value in program-specific terms.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (87 graduates) earns $81,671 year-one and $93,334 at year four (B+ grade, debt-to-earnings 0.331, median debt $27,000). Year-one of $82k reflects Seattle's premium healthcare labor market. The B+ grade reflects strong earnings and moderate debt. Four-year progression to $93k is solid. SPU's nursing program connects graduates to major Seattle-area health systems. For nursing students, SPU is expensive relative to University of Washington's nursing program but delivers strong market outcomes.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration (60 graduates) earns $56,283 year-one and $84,493 at year four (B grade, debt-to-earnings 0.391, median debt $22,000). Year-one of $56k is solid for a Christian liberal arts private in Seattle. Four-year trajectory to $84k shows strong progression, consistent with Seattle corporate market placement. The B grade reflects efficient debt levels. Business is the third-largest program by cohort and one of the stronger-performing options for students not in CS or nursing.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology earns $25,625 year-one with four-year at $50,235 (F grade, debt-to-earnings 1.053, median debt $26,988). The Scorecard reports 0 graduates, which may reflect a very small cohort or a data artifact. Year-one of $25k against $27k in debt produces immediate financial distress. The F grade is accurate regardless of cohort size. Exercise science bachelor's credentials in Seattle's labor market do not generate entry-level income sufficient to service this level of borrowing at $40,407 tuition.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 84.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 86.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 90.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 83.4% |
| Enrollment | 1,762 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 35.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,581 |
At 83.4%, SPU is accessible. No SAT or ACT data is reported to the Scorecard. The school's evangelical identity is central to the campus experience. Students primarily seeking the Seattle tech and healthcare job market should weigh SPU against University of Washington (dramatically lower cost for in-state residents) and Seattle University (Jesuit alternative at similar cost). Students who value the Free Methodist community and the mission integration will find a distinctive environment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SPU's Scorecard peers include Gonzaga University and Hamline University. Among Pacific Northwest Christian universities, SPU competes with Gonzaga (higher prestige, Spokane location) and Whitworth University (Spokane, slightly lower cost). The 68 ROI score is Fair Value, sustained by CS and nursing outcomes. Seattle University is the urban Catholic alternative at similar cost. Students considering SPU for tech or healthcare careers should honestly assess whether the $24,488 net price at a private Christian university is justified over UW's $10,000-$13,000 net price with access to the same Seattle employment market.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Pacific University (this school) | 68 | $24,488 | $64,506 |
| Gonzaga University | 81 | $35,119 | $78,892 |
| University of Redlands | 71 | $30,031 | $72,690 |
| Bellarmine University | 68 | $21,499 | $62,069 |
| Hamline University | 66 | $20,744 | $61,106 |
| Cornish College of the Arts | 17 | $40,062 | $33,696 |
Who Thrives Here
SPU admits 83.4% of applicants and reports no SAT or ACT data. Enrollment is 1,762. The school is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church and integrates Christian faith into its educational mission. Students who align with the evangelical Christian identity find a cohesive campus community. The Seattle location provides strong internship and career networks in technology, healthcare, and business for students in those fields. The 62% completion rate and D/F grade programs in social sciences suggest students outside STEM and nursing face harder outcomes despite the strong location.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Seattle Pacific University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $24,488 per year leads to $97,952 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $64,506 a decade out. The payback period of 8.1 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $24,000 against $64,506 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.