Fisk University vs. PLU

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

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

Fisk University PLU
Location Nashville, TN Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,055 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #630 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fisk.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fisk University PLU
Tuition (In State) $21,600 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $21,600 $49,472
Room & Board $11,500 $11,826
Avg Net Price $20,578 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $18,580 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Fisk University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,268 3,334
Admitted 5,158 2,964
Acceptance Rate 71% 88.9%
Enrolled % 6.3% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.71
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 27/30
SAT Range 1090/1450 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 Aug 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Fisk University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (17%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Physical Sciences (9%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Fisk University PLU
Graduation Rate 45% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,900 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 38% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

Fisk University PLU
% Men 33% 36%
% Women 67% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 68%
% Black 88% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 1% 7%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Fisk University PLU
% In-State 30% 74%
% Out-of-State 57% 22%

Campus

Fisk University 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 Fisk University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,055 students)

Fisk University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fisk University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 129% more expensive to attend than Fisk University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $21,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129% higher at PLU than Fisk University ($49,472.00 vs. $21,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fisk University than PLU ($20,578 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fisk University are 2.8% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($11,500 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Fisk University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 96.1% larger than aid received Fisk University ($36,435 vs. $18,580)

Fisk University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 180 points higher than at Fisk University (937)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Fisk University (20)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Fisk University (3.1)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Fisk University (71%)

Fisk University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fisk 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 Fisk University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Fisk University (66% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $16,400 more per year than Fisk University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $35,900)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Fisk University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Fisk University graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fisk University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 38%)

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