Overview
Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Tacoma, Washington. There are currently 2,253 undergraduates at PLU and the school’s acceptance rate is 89%. The tuition at PLU is $50,928.
PLU is a Evangelical Lutheran school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at PLU to help you make an educated decision.
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$65,904
$43,205
$22,699
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$65,904for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at PLU is $65,904. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at PLU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Pacific Lutheran University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Pacific Lutheran University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Pacific Lutheran University is 003785.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at Pacific Lutheran University
37% of students at Pacific Lutheran University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Pacific Lutheran University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
PLU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
89%
25
1216 is the median SAT score and 25 is the median ACT score for admitted students at PLU. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is PLU test-optional?
Pacific Lutheran University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Pacific Lutheran University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Pacific Lutheran University receive between a 27 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1168 and a 1364 on their SAT.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
11:1
Graduation Rate
72%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Health Professions & Related Programs
17%
17% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
14%
14% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
8%
8% of graduates
Social Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Physical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
4%
4% of graduates
History
3%
3% of graduates
English Language & Literature
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,253
Pell Grant 34%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%
Percent Male / Female 37% / 63%
Ethnic Diversity at PLU
51% White
18% Hispanic
13% Asian / Pacific Islander
11% Multiracial
4% Black
2% International / Non-Citizen
1% Unknown
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$66,990
Median Debt $22,578
Debt 10 years after graduation $239
Graduation Rate 72%
What is the graduation rate at Pacific Lutheran University?
72% of students who start at Pacific Lutheran University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 14% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Pacific Lutheran University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Pacific Lutheran University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $66,990. This is $16,599 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at PLU take out in loans?
Graduates of PLU have to take out a median of $22,578 in federal student loans. This is $9,078 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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