Why Choose SPU?

SPU Living Experience

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 will help you transition to college and prepare for your future.

Each year, your experience will be tailored to where you are in your college journey. Your on-site support team of student leaders is here from day 1 to answer questions, plan community events, pray with you, host study sessions, and help connect you with major and career opportunities. 

Learn more about the SPU Living Experience.

Virtually explore SPU's residence halls.

Two roommates pose in their dorm room

On-Campus Dining Options

• Gwinn Commons Dining Hall is our all-you-can-eat buffet style dining facility, featuring a variety of stations utilizing fresh, seasonal, and homemade products. Learn more about SPU's meal plans.
• In addition to Gwinn, there are 4 other dining locations on campus: the Corner Place Market (C-Store), Common Grounds coffee, Subway, and Falcon's Landing. Learn more about our retail dining locations.
• SPU is dedicated to offering students a wide variety of dining options, including meals that will accommodate those with strict dietary needs or food allergies. Learn more about SPU's dietary accommodations.

SPU students showing off the assortment of food options at Gwinn Commons

A community pursuing diversity

If you are a student of color, a first-generation college student, or a student who comes from an urban or diverse high school, we will give you the tools you need to succeed at Seattle Pacific University.

We recognize that attending a university demographically different from your high school or family can be difficult, which is why we support you from the beginning with:

• A dedicated multicultural outreach admissions counselor
• The S.P.A.C.E. (Seattle Pacific Access to College Experience) event for junior and senior high school students, where you’ll connect with other students and learn about SPU, the admissions process, financial aid, and more
• Early Connections, a unique orientation program for students of color and first-generation college students
• Intercultural retreat opportunities
• Option for biology-related majors to apply for BioCORE Scholars program our leadership program providing networking opportunities, mentors, summer research week, and a retreat at SPU's Blakely Island Field Station.

Ames Scholarship

The Ames Scholarship is a renewable scholarship that helps support traditionally underrepresented students of color.

Apply to SPU to be considered.

Diversity on campus

At SPU, you will find intentional friendships and support from faculty and staff who care about justice and reconciliation. 

For the past decade, we have been committed to increasing the diversity of our student body, and delving into discussions about race, justice, and privilege. 

• 50% of our undergraduate students are students of color
• 42% of our new students are the first in their families to attend college
• Our students come from 46 states and 38 countries

Here are some other ways on campus students can learn more about race, identity, and reconciliation:

• Multi-Ethnic Programs, which supports the academic, social, and cultural adjustment and success of students from diverse backgrounds (domestically and abroad) through programs and activities
• A Reconciliation minor offered by the School of Theology that can be paired with any major
• The John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development
• Intercultural student clubs, including Black Student Union, the M.E.Ch.A. Latin American student club, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Filipino American Student Association, Ohanna 'O Hawaii, and many more
• University Ministries' Multicultural Night of Worship events

First-generation student resources

If you’re a student-athlete at SPU, you’ll compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The SPU Falcon teams regularly win conference championships, and Falcon athletes have racked up national titles, All-American, and All-Academic awards. Not only that, but our many awards for academics and athletics also means that your life as an athlete is integrated into the rest of your experience, so you can pursue your calling even as you pursue the win.

 Fan Environment

Come cheer on our Falcons at home games, where you’ll find a positive fan environment and a few quirky traditions. Games are free with your student ID.

SPU’s dance and cheer teams also lead the fan support at home basketball games.

Scholarships

We also offer some NCAA Division II Athletic Scholarships at varying amounts. Contact coaches by calling 206-281-2085.

Intramurals

With more than 1,000 students participating, SPU has an incredibly active intramurals program. The program offers you fun, excitement, and challenging team activities — regardless of your skill level and experience. With your options ranging from floor hockey to ping pong, participating in Intramurals at SPU just might be one of the highlights of the quarter for you.

Check out the most recent offerings — from one-off tournaments to full-on competitions.

These teams are here for you:

• Your academic counselor helps you navigate SPU’s academic system and stay on track to graduate on time.
• Your faculty advisor will help you with your major, internship opportunities, and career advice. Your first faculty advisor will be assigned to you.
• The Center for Career and Calling helps you discover your talents and reach your goals.
• The Center for Learning offers tutors and disability support services.
• Multi-Ethnic Programs promotes cross-cultural understanding for all students.
• Residence Life teams oversee on-campus living and learning communities.
• The Student Counseling Center houses counseling and mental health services.
• Health Services provides quality care in a low-cost clinic.
• University Ministries offers pastoral counseling and organizes group worship.
• The Student Support Team looks to help all students who need extra guidance.
• And of course the Student Financial Services team is here for you.