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Seattle Pacific University vs Perry Technical Institute: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Seattle WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Yakima WA

The verdict

Seattle Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,952 in 6.1 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $64,506 vs $57,764 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSeattle Pacific UniversityPerry Technical Institute
Net price / yr$24,488$20,047
Total net cost$97,952$80,188
Median earnings, 10 yrs$64,506$57,764
Median debt$24,000$14,139
Payback6.1 yrs8.5 yrs
20-year net return$224,968$107,892

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute, at $20,047 a year after aid versus $24,488 — a gap of $4,441 a year, or $17,764 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?

Seattle Pacific University graduates report a median $64,506 ten years after entry, $6,742 more than the $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute?

Perry Technical Institute: its completers carry a median $14,139 in federal loans versus $24,000 at Seattle Pacific University, a difference of $9,861. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Perry Technical Institute, against 62% at Seattle Pacific University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Seattle Pacific University vs Perry Technical Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute a better value?
Seattle Pacific University. It clears its $97,952 net cost in about 6.1 years versus 8.5 years at Perry Technical Institute, on median earnings of $64,506 vs $57,764 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute?
Perry Technical Institute: $20,047/yr net price after aid versus $24,488/yr at Seattle Pacific University — a difference of $4,441 a year, or about $17,764 over four years.
Do Seattle Pacific University or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?
Seattle Pacific University graduates earn a median $64,506 ten years after entry, versus $57,764 at Perry Technical Institute — a $6,742 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.