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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University DU CU Boulder Wesleyan University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Lewis and Clark University of Puget Sound Bates| Colorado College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
| Location | Colorado Springs, CO | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,203 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #80 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | coloradocollege.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $64,554 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $64,554 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $14,376 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $33,178 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $46,160 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 54% | 99% |
Admission |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 7,846 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 1,279 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 16.3% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 41.8% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.98 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Exceptional | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Very High | |||
| ACT Range | 29/33 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1260/1480 | 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 | Jan 15, 2025 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 88% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $46,000 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 88% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $20,500 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $211 | $266 |
Diversity |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 44% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 56% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 64% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 9% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 9% | 7% | ||
| % International | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 1% |
Students |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 19% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 77% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Colorado College | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Colorado College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,203 students)
Colorado College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Colorado College or PLU?
- Colorado College is 30.5% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($64,554.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- Out of state tuition is 30.5% higher at Colorado College than Pacific Lutheran University ($64,554.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Colorado College ($24,825 vs. $33,178)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 21.6% lower than costs at Colorado College ($11,826 vs. $14,376)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Colorado College (99% vs. 54%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado College students is 26.7% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($46,160 vs. $36,435)
Colorado College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Colorado College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Colorado College .
- Accepted freshman Colorado College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at PLU (3.71)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Colorado College (16.3%)
Colorado College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Colorado 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 Colorado College.
- The graduation rate at Colorado College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (88% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $6,300 more per year than Colorado College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $46,000)
- Colorado College students graduate with a $5,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,800)
- Colorado College graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($211 vs. $266)
- More Colorado College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/