Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Seattle Pacific University at a Glance
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) is a private Christian university in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1891 in conjunction with the Oregon and Washington Conference of the Free Methodist Church as the Seattle Seminary. It became the Seattle Seminary and College in 1913, adopted the name Seattle Pacific College two years later, and received its current name in 1977.
1891
135 years old
$149M
$149.4 million (2025)
2,101
1,657 undergrad · 428 grad
43 acres
Identity
Is Seattle Pacific University Worth It?
Seattle Pacific University offers moderate value at $24,488/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $64,506, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 62% graduation rate means roughly 38% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Seattle Pacific University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #75 of 212 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #4 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #5 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #6 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #75 | Seattle Pacific University | 41 | $24,488 | $64,506 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Seattle Pacific University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in WA.
Best Programs at Seattle Pacific University
The highest-earning program at Seattle Pacific University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Political Science and Government at $23,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Seattle Pacific University earns $66,700, while a Political Science and Government graduate earns $23,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Political Science and Government.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,488/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,700 | $66,700 | $25,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $49,200 | $49,200 | $23,414 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $42,800 | $42,800 | $26,833 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,700 | $36,700 | $25,584 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $23,800 | $23,800 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Seattle, WA
- Student Body
- 1,762 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,488
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,506
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000