Parents and family members

Who we are

Seattle Pacific is a nationally ranked, private, liberal arts university — rooted in Christian faith — with a 43-acre campus located on the north slope of beautiful Queen Anne Hill, only 10 minutes from the heart of downtown Seattle.

For over 125 years, Seattle Pacific’s mission has been pouring into students, and likewise, those students add their voices, experiences, and stories to the richness of this wonderful academic community.

You can read all about SPU’s facts and figures, but there is a special sort of transformation that happens when students have relationships with their professors, direct access to research opportunities and internships, a community where they feel supported and seen, and opportunity to dive deeper into their faith while engaging in dialogue around life’s challenging questions.

SPU's Faith in U campaign reflects the University's focus on Christian faith expressed all around campus, and the faith our faculty and staff have in the potential and talents of all our students.

Rigorous academics

• Ranked among the best universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
• 71 majors and 59 minors
• 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 21 student average class size

A right-sized campus with a manageable scale, SPU is tailored to the needs of students so they won’t feel lost, responding to the interests of each individual and
supporting their academic success.

SPU offers incredible opportunities for:

• Internships
• Undergraduate research
• Study abroad
• Mentorship

We prepare our students well for their career after college. Not only are our students incredibly well trained in their academic fields, but we believe that everything they learn outside of the classroom is a part of their educational experience, and one that contributes to building critical thinking, character, and integrity.

Seattle advantage

The best of both worlds, SPU’s campus is situated in the beautiful residential community of Queen Anne, just a 10-minute bus ride from downtown Seattle and all the city has to offer. 

Eight Fortune 500 companies making their home in Seattle, some within walking distance of campus. Seattle is a leader in tech, business, healthcare, science, the arts, non-profit services, and more. And with food and recreation around every corner, there are unlimited resources here for internships, service opportunities, and fun.

Plus, if your student enjoys the outdoors, access to beaches, mountains, lakes, forests, and deserts is within an hour’s drive.

Check out the interactive 360 tour of our beautiful campus and surrounding areas!

Christian faith

At SPU, everything we do is rooted in Christian faith — which propels us to have faith in our students, in community, in challenging ourselves, and in impacting the world for good.

Our faculty and staff come from a wide variety of Christian traditions — including Free Methodist, Orthodox, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic — which reflects the fullness and diversity within the body of Christ.

SPU is a place for students to wrestle with difficult topics in the context of the Christian story. Students deepen their knowledge of faith in three core classes, collectively called “University Foundations,” alongside professors who make the ancient texts of Scripture come to life.

Students who want to grow deeper in their faith and serve the community will find many opportunities to do so. For those who do not identify as Christian or are on a different path, this is still a place of belonging.

Diversity

SPU affirms the beauty and goodness of our diverse community, and we are intentional about cultivating a welcome, supportive, and inclusive community for all students.

Whether your student comes from a diverse background or underrepresented community, or is first in their family to go to college, we are here to walk alongside your student and help them connect to our community where they feel safe, valued, and able to contribute.

Our Office of Inclusive Excellence provides leadership for the work of diversity at SPU.

Food & housing

At Seattle Pacific, you encounter an on-campus living experience unlike any other. Here, your residence hall is more than a place you live: it's where you learn, grow, forge life-long friendships, and pursue your calling. It's where you find academic support, life-changing community events, and leaders who help you transition to college and prepare for your future. Each year, students' experiences are tailored to where they are in their college journey. Learn more about the SPU Living Experience.

The Office of Residence Life oversees campus living, while Housing and Meal Plan Servicesmanages housing assignments and meal plans. Our award-winning Gwinn Commons Dining Hall is a consistent fan favorite among students, faculty, staff, and visitors!

Health & wellness

At SPU, we empower our students to take responsibility for their health by providing health services that are accessible, enable students to thrive, and result in a healthy campus environment.

We offer resources that support our students’ mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. We also believe that physical health and fun go hand in hand, whether students play or cheer for our NCAA Division II athletics programs, or stay active through our year-round intramural programs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SPU has created safety protocols to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe.

Safety & security

Since the SPU campus is located within a residential neighborhood, students generally feel very safe walking on and around campus. Students also report feeling safe taking the bus around the city and enjoying all that Seattle has to offer.

However, we are proud to have a skilled team committed to the safety and security of our campus community. The Office of Safety and Security (OSS) manages SPU’s emergency preparedness information, offers 24/7 emergency services, and provides walking or vehicle escorts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, OSS helps manage parking and commuting options for students.

Scholarships, financial aid, & affordability

Big news: SPU lowered tuition by 25% and created several large new scholarships, as part of the the Tuition Reimagined initiative. 

Why? Because we think a nationally ranked, private education should be accessible to students and their families. We believe paying for college should be transparent and straightforward. And we believe in investing in our students.

If you feel anxious about the financing of your student’s college education, fear not! Learn about scholarships and financial aid and find out what SPU might cost you with our Net Price Calculator.

Resources for students

At SPU, we provide holistic support for each student to succeed academically, prepare for the future, and develop as whole, unique persons.

Check out the full list of student resources at SPU. 

Resources for parents and family members

• Visit our Parents and Families website, where you can find upcoming events, information, and connection.
• Sign up to receive In the Loop, our monthly e-newsletter for SPU parents and families.
• Sign up to join the SPU Parent Prayer Network and receive the monthly SPU Parent Prayer Guide.
• Read about the exciting things happening at SPU, as well as what our accomplished alumni, faculty, and current students are up to, on our online storytelling hub SPU Stories.

Visiting SPU

We know that it’s important for both you and your student to get to know Seattle Pacific and experience what life is like here. 

Check out the options for how you and your student can visit us in person and virtually:

• Live webinars for students, as well as for parents and family members
• On-Campus Tours and Events, Monday through Saturday
• 360 interactive virtual tour
  
• And more! View our full list of visit opportunities.

If your student comes to campus for an official tour or event and/or two qualifying virtual visits between August 1 and May 1, during the year in which they are applying, he or she will be eligible for up to a $1,500 visit scholarship toward their first year at SPU.

Application process

If your student is ready to apply to SPU, our application page explains the easy process, including how your student can prepare to apply, application deadlines, and how to check your application status along the way. 

Students can use either the SPU Application or the Common Application to apply to Seattle Pacific University. SPU continues to be test optional

Next steps for admitted students

Once your student is admitted to SPU, there are several important next steps.

• Submit the FAFSA as early as you can, to make sure you qualify for the best financial aid possible.
• Remind your student to check their SPU Portal regularly. This is where students will find the most up-to-date information from SPU, as well as crucial next steps. 
• Submit the enrollment deposit when ready to commit to SPU.
• Sign up for New Student Advising (to register for classes).
• Register for Housing and Orientation, when available.

Connect with us

You are a valuable part of the admissions process, and we want to be sure you have all of the information you need and get your questions answered. 

Please reach out to your student’s admissions counselor to connect about any questions or concerns. We are here to support your family throughout this journey!