Augustana vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Augustana vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or PLU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Augustana ($22,299 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana College are 3.9% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($12,502 vs. $13,008).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Augustana (about $656 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $51,598.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at PLU than at Augustana College (about $656 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $51,598.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Augustana College students ($40,573 vs. $39,242).

Augustana vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or PLU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PLU and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana College (1150) is the same as at PLU (1150).
• Incoming Augustana students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at PLU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Augustana vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and PLU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,800 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.