Guilford College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Guilford College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College than PLU ($22,270 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 2.9% lower than at Guilford College ($13,008 vs. $13,400).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Guilford College (about $10,892 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $41,362.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at PLU than at Guilford College (about $10,892 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $41,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Guilford College students ($40,573 vs. $33,419).

Guilford College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 40 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming PLU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Guilford College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $835 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($25,800 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($266 vs. $275).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 51%)

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.