Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Tacoma, WA that costs an average of $20,652 a year after financial aid, admits 78% of applicants and graduates 64% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$20,652
Acceptance rate
78%
Graduation rate
64%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$71,109
Private nonprofitLarge suburb2,401 undergraduates
Cost of PLU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $64,176 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $53,096 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $13,710 |
| Books and supplies | $810 |
| Average net price after aid | $20,652 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $13,627 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,026 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $16,022 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,495 |
| $110,001+ | $21,998 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with PLU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 78% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,168 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 540–660 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 500–600 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 22–28 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 64% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 82% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $57,116 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $71,109 |
| Rank in Washington (earnings) | 10th of 27 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $19,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $222 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 41% |
| Students with federal loans | 63% |
Majors and programs at PLU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (36)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 264 | $93,928 | $19,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | $73,553 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 128 | $58,247 | $16,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 37 | $57,038 | $20,758 |
| Economics | 22 | $51,484 | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 19 | $50,428 | — |
| Psychology | 69 | $48,724 | $19,000 |
| Sociology | 28 | $44,648 | $20,875 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 81 | $44,328 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 50 | $42,278 | $19,000 |
| Biology | 87 | $41,585 | $19,113 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 35 | $40,294 | $19,275 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 11 | $37,341 | — |
| Anthropology | 14 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 1 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 28 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 42 | — | $16,500 |
| Criminology | 33 | — | $21,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 29 | — | $25,000 |
| English Language and Literature | 13 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 13 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| History | 31 | — | $20,000 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 21 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 24 | — | — |
| Music | 32 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 22 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 3 | — | — |
| Physics | 27 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 28 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 19 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 24 | — | — |
| Social Work | 37 | — | $18,862 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 21 | — | — |
Certificate programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (8)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 55 | $92,511 | $71,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 46 | $78,686 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 113 | $73,477 | $30,750 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 38 | $42,763 | $59,588 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 22 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 21 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 9 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | $134,324 | $92,250 |
Professional degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 34 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Washington
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitworth University | Spokane | $23,009 | 90% | $64,055 |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | $25,419 | 83% | $71,277 |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | $32,507 | 72% | $71,918 |
| Whitman College | Walla Walla | $29,486 | 38% | $70,813 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | $34,324 | 77% | $84,728 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | $27,786 | — | $67,140 |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | $25,472 | 90% | $70,376 |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle | — | — | $66,765 |
About PLU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Tacoma, WA |
| Setting | Large suburb |
| Undergraduates | 2,401 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 12 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
| Website | plu.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is PLU's acceptance rate?
Pacific Lutheran University admits 78% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,168 on the SAT.
How much does PLU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $64,176 a year (tuition and fees: $53,096). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $20,652 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $13,627.
How much do PLU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $71,109 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 10th of 27 similar colleges in Washington. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($93,928 a year after graduation).
What is PLU's graduation rate?
64% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 82% of first-year students return for a second year.