Delaware Valley University vs. PLU

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

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Delaware Valley University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Delaware Valley University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Delaware Valley University Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Delaware Valley University PLU
Location Doylestown, PA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,189 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #655 #429
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website delval.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Delaware Valley University PLU
Tuition (In State) $40,680 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $40,680 $49,472
Room & Board $14,750 $12,446
Avg Net Price $28,401 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $30,241 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Delaware Valley University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,358 4,139
Admitted 2,181 3,333
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 80.5%
Enrolled % 22.2% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/27 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1270 988/1258
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 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Delaware Valley University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Agriculture (47%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Delaware Valley University PLU
Graduation Rate 55% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,100 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

Delaware Valley University PLU
% Men 6% 4%
% Women 14% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 8% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 7%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Delaware Valley University PLU
% In-State 55% 80%
% Out-of-State 45% 12%

Campus

Delaware Valley University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Delaware Valley University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 2,189 students)

Delaware Valley University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delaware Valley University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 21.6% more expensive to attend than Delaware Valley University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $40,680.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.6% higher at PLU than Delaware Valley University ($49,472.00 vs. $40,680.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Delaware Valley University ($23,841 vs. $28,401)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 18.5% lower than costs at Delaware Valley University ($12,446 vs. $14,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Delaware Valley University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 30.5% larger than aid received Delaware Valley University ($39,464 vs. $30,241)

Delaware Valley University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 123 points higher than at Delaware Valley University (994)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Delaware Valley University (22)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Delaware Valley University (3.46)
  • Delaware Valley University has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than PLU (80.5%)

Delaware Valley University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Delaware Valley University 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 Delaware Valley University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Delaware Valley University (66% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $9,200 more per year than Delaware Valley University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $43,100)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Delaware Valley University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Delaware Valley University graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More Delaware Valley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 74%)

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