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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland Washington State| Aquinas College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
| Location | Nashville, TN | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 342 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #311 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | aquinascollege.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $21,350 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,350 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $8,850 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $20,892 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $12,820 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 245 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 99 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 40.4% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 33.3% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.55 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1100/1370 | 1253/1423 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 0:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 38% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,600 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 56% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,500 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $211 | $266 |
Diversity |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 0% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 9% | 1% |
Students |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | - | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | - | 22% | ||
Campus |
Aquinas College | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 342 students)
Aquinas College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Aquinas College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 131.7% more expensive to attend than Aquinas College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $21,350.00)
- Out of state tuition is 131.7% higher at PLU than Aquinas College ($49,472.00 vs. $21,350.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than PLU ($20,892 vs. $24,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 33.6% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($8,850 vs. $11,826)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 184.2% larger than aid received Aquinas College ($36,435 vs. $12,820)
Aquinas College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Aquinas College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Aquinas College .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 2 points higher than at Aquinas College (1115)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Aquinas College (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Aquinas College (3.55)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Aquinas College (40.4%)
Aquinas College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Aquinas College 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 Aquinas College.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Aquinas College (66% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Aquinas College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,600)
- Aquinas College students graduate with a $5,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,800)
- Aquinas College graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($211 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aquinas College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/