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Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA

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Seattle Pacific University, founded in 1891, is a private, church-affiliated, comprehensive university. It was founded in 1891, adopted coeducation in 1910, and gained university status in 1977. Its 43-acre campus is located in downtown Seattle.

School Profiles: Undergrad Diversity Christian Life
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Christian Life Profile


Ranked a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report 

 

AT A GLANCE

Mission Statement
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling a grace-filled community.

CAMPUSES
SPU’s 43-acre campus is located in the beautiful Queen Anne neighborhood of metro Seattle, minutes from downtown. SPU also owns and operates a 965-acre wilderness campus and field station on Blakely Island and a 330-acre seaside campus on Whidbey Island.

ENROLLMENT
Total enrollment: 3,688

Undergraduate ethnic minority students: 44%

Middle 50% SAT score of entering freshmen: 1050–1250

Average unweighted high school GPA of entering freshmen: 3.27–3.82

Average college GPA of entering transfers: 3.19

National Merit Scholars enrolled: 11

States from which students originate: 42

Countries from which students originate: 48

ACADEMICS
Undergraduate majors: 71

Graduate areas of specialization: 31 master’s degree programs, six doctoral programs, and seven graduate certificate programs

Average class size: 21 students 

Student-faculty ratio: 13:1

Faculty qualifications: 85% of full-time faculty members have a doctoral degree or other terminal degree in their field.

Learning resources: SPU’s facilities include a $28 million science building, a $10 million library, and a sophisticated campus computer network featuring online access to extensive campus services.

Financial assistance: SPU awarded nearly $110 million in scholarships and financial aid for 2018–2019.

GRADUATES
Graduate study: Recent SPU graduates have been accepted into graduate schools such as Duke Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and University of Washington School of Medicine.

Employment: 93% of recent SPU graduates surveyed were employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.

All information is based on statistics from the 2018–2019 academic year unless otherwise noted.

Undergraduate Academic Offerings

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Division of Arts and Humanities: Art; Art History; Asian Studies; Classics; Communication; Criminal Justice; English (Literature, Writing); Film Studies; French and Francophone Studies; History; Journalism*; Linguistics; Music; Music Therapy; Philosophy; Social Justice and Cultural Studies; Spanish Studies; Theatre; Visual Communication 

Division of Sciences: Anthropology*; Apparel Design; Apparel Merchandising; Applied Human Biology; Applied Mathematics; Biochemistry; Bioethics and Humanities*; Biology; Cellular and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Computer Engineering; Computer Science; Dietetics; Ecology; Electrical Engineering; Engineering (Appropriate and Sustainable, Mechanical); Exercise Science; Family and Consumer Sciences; Food and Nutritional Sciences; Human Development and Family Studies; Information Systems; Interior Design; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Nutrition and Dietetics; Physics; Physiology; Sociology

SCHOOLS
Business, Government, and Economics: Accounting; Business Administration (Economics, Entrepreneurship*, Finance, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Marketing, Public Policy, Social Enterprise); Economics; Global Development Studies; Political Science (various); Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (various); Pre-law

Education: Elementary Education Certification; Secondary Education Certification; Special Education

Health Sciences: Exercise Science; Health and Fitness Education; Nursing

Psychology, Family, and Community: Psychology

Theology: Christian Mission; Christian Scripture; Christian Theology; Ecotheology*; Educational Ministry; Global and Urban Ministry*; Reconciliation Studies*; Youth Ministry*

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Pre-dentistry; Pre-law; Pre-medicine; Pre-optometry; Pre-pharmacy; Pre-physical Therapy; Pre-veterinary

INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
Costume Design and Production; General Studies; Professional Studies; Student-Designed Majors; Women’s Studies*

Find a complete list at spu.edu/majorsminors.

* Minor only

 

 

 

 

 



Seattle Pacific University students study in a leading metropolitan hub brimming with opportunity, explore and grow in Christian faith, and graduate prepared to succeed and serve the world.

Welcome to the city of the future, brimming with opportunity. Seattle is leading in technology, industry, business, science, and the arts. From this metropolitan hub, Seattle Pacific University equips students to join in. Our students grow in knowledge and skill, gain experience, and apply the Christian faith to prepare for their careers and engage the world’s deepest needs. 

Ranked a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Pacific graduates students who are informed, skilled, and resilient—ready and able to change the world. 

Make Seattle your campus
Living and studying in metro Seattle’s beautiful Queen Anne neighborhood, Seattle Pacific students call the vibrant city of Seattle their campus. Numerous internship and work opportunities provide priceless real-world experience in organizations such as Amazon, Boeing, Google, Microsoft, Nordstrom, REI, and the Seattle Seahawks. From art museums to global nonprofits to airplane production plants, you will find exceptional learning experiences in every neighborhood. The Pacific Northwest region also offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventures, including boating, camping, hiking, rock climbing, scuba diving, and skiing.

Explore or go deeper in your faith 
The world doesn’t just need skilled graduates—it needs leaders motivated by Christian compassion and understanding. Inside and outside the classroom, we encourage questions and discussion so you can cultivate your own educated and resilient faith. You’ll be challenged to live a life of compassion and service and to see the world from a broader perspective. This faith doesn’t stay on campus either. It propels students into the world to serve, advocate, and confront inequality and suffering on local and global scales. 

Academic excellence
This faith perspective adds depth and purpose to SPU’s 71 majors and 59 minors, linking academic and career competence with personal character formation. With an average of 21 students per class and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, you’ll learn from experienced professors who know you by name. In rigorous classes taught with a faith-based perspective, you will prepare for your future with professors and classmates who support and challenge you.

The results are exciting. Seattle Pacific students spend thousands of hours serving and empowering people throughout the city and around the world. A recent survey found that 93% of SPU graduates were employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation, and 90% or more of SPU’s alumni who apply to medical schools are accepted. 

An investment in you
The tuition you pay at SPU is a prime investment in your future—and it’s more affordable than you think. We are committed to creating financial packages that work for you. Financial assistance averages $38,601 per student, and in 2018–2019, we awarded $110 million in financial aid. Plus, SPU graduates are well prepared to jump-start their careers and succeed financially.

Come and see
Consider this your official invitation to visit us. Seattle Pacific offers visit events during the year, or you can schedule an individual visit. Visits can include a campus tour, an admission counselor appointment, class visits,and dining hall meals. Go to spu.edu/visit now to schedule your visit and see what sets Seattle Pacific apart.

Our online story hub, SPU Voices, shares the stories of SPU students, faculty, and alumni. It’s also a great source for helpful articles to answer your questions about the application process, paying for college, and more. spu.edu/voices