Seattle Pacific University
#3 Best Online Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,506 A-
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $24,488 D
- 43% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Online Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $17.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,624,490.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 58% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $17.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 50%
- Patents
- 40
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 75
- Downstream influence
Why Seattle Pacific University Matters
Seattle Pacific University is a private doctoral / professional university in Seattle, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,762
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 64
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Seattle Pacific University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,488 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,506 ten years after enrolling — 58% above the typical college, against $24,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 57% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.85 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,762 students and an acceptance rate of 83%, Seattle Pacific University is a welcoming environment for those looking to pursue degrees in areas like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, and Biology & Biomedical. The university's focus on these fields suggests a strong commitment to career readiness. This is ideal for students who want a supportive community while diving into practical, career-oriented studies.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $64,506 within ten years, which is a solid figure that reflects the value of the education received here. While the graduation rate is 62%, indicating that not everyone completes their degree, many students who do graduate find stable career paths. Affordability is also a consideration, as the net price sits at $24,488, making it accessible for many families.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Seattle Pacific University, the median debt load stands at $24,000, which is manageable for graduates entering the workforce with decent earning potential. Those who thrive here tend to be individuals looking for a nurturing academic environment that balances rigorous academics with a strong sense of community. This setting can be particularly beneficial for students who value personal connection and support in their educational journey.
Rankings
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Washington
- #5 Best Engineering Colleges in Washington
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Washington
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Washington
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Washington
- #7 Best Colleges in Washington
- #9 Best Business Colleges in Washington
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Washington
Can I Get In?
How selective Seattle Pacific University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Seattle Pacific University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Seattle, Washington, Seattle Pacific University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 24. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,581
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.83
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 3,895
- Admitted
- 3,533
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Seattle Pacific University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Seattle Pacific University is $40,407, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,488. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,735 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,407
- Out-of-State
- $40,407
- Avg Net Price
- $24,488
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,735
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,559
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,332
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,819
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Seattle Pacific University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $64,506, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,496
- 8 Years
- $59,612
- 10 Years
- $64,506
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (344)
- 51%
- 100% (344)
- 51%
- 100% (344)
- 51%
- 100% (344)
- 51%
How Seattle Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Seattle Pacific University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Seattle Pacific University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,488/year ($97,952 total). Graduates earn $64,506 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,722,442 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,624,490 (17.6× your investment). The median debt is $24,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $97,952
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,722,442
- Net Return
- $1,624,490
- ROI Multiple
- 17.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,488
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Seattle Pacific University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Seattle Pacific University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.35%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,200
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Seattle Pacific University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 40 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.44%
- Top 50% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 40
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 75
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.70%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,594,000
- Investment Income
- $-6,093,000
Top Programs
The fields Seattle Pacific University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 14%
- Business & Marketing 13%
- Psychology 11%
- Education 10%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Humanities 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Seattle Pacific University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Seattle Pacific University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Seattle, Washington, Seattle Pacific University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 24. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Seattle Pacific University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Seattle Pacific University is $40,407, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,488. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,735 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
Is Seattle Pacific University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $64,506, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Seattle Pacific University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Seattle Pacific University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.35%, well above the typical college. About 4.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $104,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Seattle Pacific University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Seattle Pacific University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Seattle Pacific University.
- Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA · Close peer69% grad $62,621 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $68,245 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer73% grad $63,764 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN · Close peer59% grad $61,106 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Roanoke CollegeSalem, VA · Close peer67% grad $58,047 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Seattle Pacific University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Seattle Pacific University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.85, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note