Central Washington University (CWU) vs. Seattle Pacific University (SPU)

Compare two schools with tuition, admission, test scores, and more academic characteristics.

  • Central Washington University (CWU) is a public school while Seattle Pacific University (SPU) is a private school.
  • Both schools are located in Washington.
  • SPU has more expensive tuition of $38,814 than CWU ($26,771).
  • CWU has tighter acceptance rate of 86.34% than SPU (90.87%).
  • CWU is larger with 9,257 students than SPU (3,118 students).
Central Washington University
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Seattle Pacific University

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#17 in Washington
Rankings#199 in National Universities
#13 in Washington
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePrivate, 4-years
Ellensburg, WALocationSeattle, WA
CWUKnown asSPU
1 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Offered Degrees2 Year Certificate
2-4 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationDoctoral/Research University
Tuition & Fees
$9,192 Washington residents
$26,771 out-of-state
Undergraduate$38,814
$12,892 Washington residents
$27,263 out-of-state
Graduate$20,850
$8,562Financial Aid$23,247
Admission
$60 undergraduate
$75 graduate
Application Fee$50 undergraduate
$50 graduate
86.34%Acceptance Rate90.87%
28.74%Yield19.28%
Test Scores1,210 SAT, 24 ACT
Student Population
9,257Total Students3,118
8,743Undergraduate2,432
514Graduate686
2,498Online Enrollment116
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
52%Graduation Rate65%
Transfer-out Rate24%
68%Retention Rate79%
$50,100Average Earning after Graduation$54,200
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Course (may not Degree Program) Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,249)
$7,700 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 1,779)
$7,902 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal Plan✔ (21 meals per week)
$6,507 average annual costs
Faculties and Staffs
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
397 Full-time
210 Part-time
Number of Faculties211 Full-time
227 Part-time
1,278 Full-time
265 Part-time
Number of Staffs571 Full-time
280 Part-time
$80,980 for Faculties
$62,944 Part-time
Average Salary$78,478 for Faculties
$68,535 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023