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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University CSU Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Cal State Fullerton California State University-Fresno University of Puget Sound Sacramento State Cal State East Bay| Fresno Pacific University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
| Location | Fresno, CA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,921 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #494 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Mennonite Brethren Church | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | fresno.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,960 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,960 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,148 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,668 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $27,472 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,516 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 872 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.5% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.7% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.54 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 970/1240 | 988/1258 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 8:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,600 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $266 |
Diversity |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 35% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 35% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 43% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 1% |
Students |
Fresno Pacific University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 88% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Fresno Pacific 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
- Fresno Pacific University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,921 students vs. 2,737 students)
Fresno Pacific University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Fresno Pacific University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 41.5% more expensive to attend than Fresno Pacific University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $34,960.00)
- Out of state tuition is 41.5% higher at PLU than Fresno Pacific University ($49,472.00 vs. $34,960.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fresno Pacific University than PLU ($15,668 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 22.6% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,148 vs. $12,446)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 43.7% larger than aid received Fresno Pacific University ($39,464 vs. $27,472)
Fresno Pacific University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Fresno Pacific University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Fresno Pacific University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 129 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
- Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Fresno Pacific University (57.5%)
Fresno Pacific University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Fresno Pacific 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 Fresno Pacific University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Fresno Pacific University (66% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $8,700 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $43,600)
- Fresno Pacific University students graduate with a $4,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,800)
- Fresno Pacific University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($222 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/