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SPU Trinity SU Baylor UT Dallas University of Dallas UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Hendrix College TCU UT Austin| Austin College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Austin College | PLU | ||
| Location | Sherman, TX | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,182 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #188 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | austincollege.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Austin College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $44,740 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $44,740 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,958 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $24,739 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,033 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Austin College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,192 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 2,823 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.4% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 11.7% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.63 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 24/30 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1160/1370 | 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 | Jul 31, 2025 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Austin College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Austin College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 75% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,600 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 72% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $266 |
Diversity |
Austin College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 49% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 51% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 53% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 19% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 1% |
Students |
Austin College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 91% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Austin 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 Austin College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,182 students)
Austin College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Austin College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 10.6% more expensive to attend than Austin College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $44,740.00)
- Out of state tuition is 10.6% higher at PLU than Austin College ($49,472.00 vs. $44,740.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin College than PLU ($24,739 vs. $24,825)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 9.6% lower than costs at Austin College ($11,826 vs. $12,958)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Austin College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 10.3% larger than aid received Austin College ($36,435 vs. $33,033)
Austin College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Austin College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Austin College .
- The average SAT score at Austin College (1165) is 48 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Austin College students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Austin College (3.63)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Austin College (54.4%)
Austin College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Austin 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 Austin College.
- The graduation rate at Austin College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (75% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Austin College earn on average $2,300 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $52,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Austin College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Austin College graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/