Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
91.1% Acceptance Rate
Seattle Pacific University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.1%Acceptance Rate
3.53Avg GPA
1191Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$53,986Annual Cost
$64,506Grad Salary
33.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.1%
Avg GPA
3.53
Avg SAT
1191
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1320
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
33.2% receive Pell
Seattle Pacific University (WA) is a Christian liberal arts university known for its focus on global impact and rigorous scholarship. Admissions are selective, looking for intellectually curious students who are ready to participate in a faith-informed academic community. Evidence of service and leadership is consistently prioritized.
Seattle Pacific University Acceptance Rate
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 91.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.08
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Seattle Pacific University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Seattle Pacific University is November 1 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SPU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SPU is 3.53. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.23 and 3.53? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.73–3.93.SPU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.53 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.33 – 3.52
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.13 – 3.32
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.12
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- SPU is a Christian (Free Methodist-founded) university requiring two essays: a standard Common App essay (250-650 words) and an SPU-specific faith/vision essay (250-500 words).
- Approximately 40% of SPU's academic program budget was cut between 2023 and 2025, with 19 majors formally discontinued as of November 2024; two new majors (data science, biomedical engineering) launched for 2025-26.
- SPU has been in ongoing litigation ("Seattle Pacific University v. Bob Ferguson") with the Washington Attorney General's office over its religious hiring policy - a live, current-cycle institutional issue worth being aware of.
- Acceptance rate is roughly 72-83% depending on source/year; general admission does not require a personal essay per some third-party trackers, but SPU's own site currently requires two.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SPU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Seattle Pacific University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SPU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SPU Without SAT or ACT?
SPU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Seattle Pacific University Average SAT Score: 1191
The average SAT score of admitted students at Seattle Pacific University is 1191 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1191 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1320 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Seattle Pacific University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SPU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 590 | 520 | 660 |
| SAT Reading | 595 | 530 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1191 | 1050 | 1320 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1320 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Seattle Pacific University (SPU) with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of SPU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Seattle Pacific University (SPU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at SPU is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 24 | 19 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into Seattle Pacific University with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of SPU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at SPU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SPU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
SPU provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Verify your intended major is still being admitted before you apply
SPU cut roughly 40% of its academic program budget starting in 2023 and formally discontinued 19 majors as of a November 2024 announcement (including philosophy, music education, film studies, interior design, and human development & family life), while adding new majors in data science and biomedical engineering for 2025-26. Because older web pages, forum posts, and even some current students report being blindsided by cuts to their declared major, confirm your specific major's current status directly with an admissions counselor before committing - don't rely on the general catalog or older program lists.
Write the SPU-specific essay as a genuine faith-fit essay, not a generic "why us"
SPU's required second essay (250-500 words) explicitly asks how SPU's stated vision - "explore or go deeper in Christian faith" and "help you change the world for the better" - aligns with your own goals, and how your faith perspective or personal story intersects with that vision. This isn't interchangeable with a standard "why this school" essay: reviewers are specifically listening for a real account of your faith journey (whether committed, exploring, or reconnecting) tied to concrete SPU programs like the University Scholars honors cohort, not just campus-culture enthusiasm.
Use your Common App essay to cover ground the SPU essay can't
Since SPU requires two separate essays - the standard Common App personal essay (250-650 words, one of the seven standard prompts) plus its own faith/vision essay (250-500 words) - don't let your Common App essay drift into faith territory that duplicates the SPU-specific prompt. Use the Common App essay for a distinct story (an obstacle, an intellectual interest, an identity thread) so the two essays together show two different dimensions of you rather than repeating the same narrative.
If your prospective major was affected by the cuts, ask about the teach-out plan explicitly
SPU has stated that students in eliminated majors are covered by a "teach-out" policy allowing them to finish their declared major's coursework (with faculty-approved course substitutions where needed) and graduate on schedule - but this protection applies to students already declared in the major, not incoming applicants to a major that's already been cut. If you're interested in a major that appears on any list of recently reduced or discontinued programs, ask admissions directly whether it is currently accepting new students for your intended entry term.
Expert Insight:
A real and recent failure pattern at SPU is students accepting admission (or arriving for a later term) into a major that gets discontinued between acceptance and enrollment - one student reported having his intended major eliminated roughly two weeks before he was set to start, with new-major announcements sometimes issued in spring after most incoming students have already committed, meaning the school's growth narrative (new majors) can obscure the scope of prior cuts.
SPU Profile
Full Name
Seattle Pacific University (SPU)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98119-1997
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a SPU Degree Worth It?
SPU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $72,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.39%.
How much does a degree from SPU Cost?
The sticker price is $53,986/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
33.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 51.5% take federal loans at SPU. File your FAFSA early and list SPU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SPU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $64,506. That's about 59% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Seattle Pacific University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | 1157 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Seattle Pacific University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Seattle Pacific University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at SPU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SPU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Seattle Pacific University run about $64,506 a year.
At about $53,986 a year, Seattle Pacific University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 33.2% receive a Pell Grant at Seattle Pacific University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 91.1%, Seattle Pacific University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Seattle Pacific University average a 3.53 GPA.
Seattle Pacific University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.23 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.13, Seattle Pacific University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Seattle Pacific University — aim above 1191, ideally within the 1050–1320 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Seattle Pacific University is November 1 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2025/12/01 (Merit scholarship priority). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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