EWU vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 2,797 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Washington University 18:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

EWU vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EWU 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 Eastern Washington University than PLU ($14,767 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 16.5% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($13,008 vs. $15,574).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 508.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $43,668 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.3% higher at PLU than at Eastern Washington University (about $26,295 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $25,959.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Eastern Washington University (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 305.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($40,573 vs. $10,001).

EWU vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EWU 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 EWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Lutheran University (1150) is 160 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming PLU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 880/1090; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 16/23; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EWU - Test-free; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at EWU vs. 14.1% at PLU.

EWU vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EWU 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).

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than EWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $4,982 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($20,818 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($215 vs. $266).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.