Adelphi University vs. PLU

Should I go to Adelphi University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Adelphi University or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Adelphi University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Adelphi University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Adelphi University Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Adelphi University PLU
Location Garden City, NY Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,252 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #193 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website adelphi.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Adelphi University PLU
Tuition (In State) $42,085 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $42,085 $49,472
Room & Board $18,016 $11,826
Avg Net Price $26,953 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $28,826 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 99%

Admission

Adelphi University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,301 3,334
Admitted 12,591 2,964
Acceptance Rate 72.8% 88.9%
Enrolled % 9.1% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 27/30
SAT Range 1110/1310 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Adelphi University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Adelphi University PLU
Graduation Rate 66% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,400 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $263 $266

Diversity

Adelphi University PLU
% Men 30% 36%
% Women 70% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 68%
% Black 9% 3%
% Hispanic 15% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Adelphi University PLU
% In-State 86% 74%
% Out-of-State 12% 22%

Campus

Adelphi University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Adelphi University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (7,252 students vs. 2,633 students)

Adelphi University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adelphi University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 17.6% more expensive to attend than Adelphi University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $42,085.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.6% higher at PLU than Adelphi University ($49,472.00 vs. $42,085.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Adelphi University ($24,825 vs. $26,953)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 52.3% lower than costs at Adelphi University ($11,826 vs. $18,016)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Adelphi University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 26.4% larger than aid received Adelphi University ($36,435 vs. $28,826)

Adelphi University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adelphi University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Adelphi University .

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 23 points higher than at Adelphi University (1094)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Adelphi University (22)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Adelphi University (3.69)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Adelphi University (72.8%)

Adelphi University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Adelphi University or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Adelphi University.

  • The graduation rate at Adelphi University is the same as at Pacific Lutheran University (66% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Adelphi University earn on average $6,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($58,400 vs. $52,300)
  • Adelphi University students graduate with a $300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,500 vs. $25,800)
  • Adelphi University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($263 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Adelphi University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/