Connecticut College vs. PLU

Should I go to Connecticut College or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Connecticut College 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.

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Connecticut College vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Connecticut College Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Connecticut College Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Connecticut College PLU
Location New London, CT Tacoma, WA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,948 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #74 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website connecticutcollege.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Connecticut College PLU
Tuition (In State) $62,620 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $62,620 $49,472
Room & Board $17,280 $11,826
Avg Net Price $43,220 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $36,355 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Connecticut College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,744 3,334
Admitted 3,533 2,964
Acceptance Rate 40.4% 88.9%
Enrolled % 17.8% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 30/33 27/30
SAT Range 1360/1490 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 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Connecticut College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (33%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Ethnic Studies (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Connecticut College PLU
Graduation Rate 84% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $60,700 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,550 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $243 $266

Diversity

Connecticut College PLU
% Men 38% 36%
% Women 62% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 71% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 9% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Connecticut College PLU
% In-State 11% 74%
% Out-of-State 84% 22%

Campus

Connecticut College PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Connecticut College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,948 students)

Connecticut College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Connecticut College or PLU?

  • Connecticut College is 26.6% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($62,620.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.6% higher at Connecticut College than Pacific Lutheran University ($62,620.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Connecticut College ($24,825 vs. $43,220)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 46.1% lower than costs at Connecticut College ($11,826 vs. $17,280)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Connecticut College as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 0.2% larger than aid received Connecticut College ($36,435 vs. $36,355)

Connecticut College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Connecticut College (3.7)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Connecticut College (40.4%)

Connecticut College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Connecticut 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 Connecticut College.

  • The graduation rate at Connecticut College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (84% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Connecticut College earn on average $8,400 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($60,700 vs. $52,300)
  • Connecticut College students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($23,550 vs. $25,800)
  • Connecticut College graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($243 vs. $266)
  • More Connecticut College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 74%)

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