HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampden Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampden Sydney College 9:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 Pacific Lutheran University than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($22,299 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 22.3% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($13,008 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $2,296 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $2,296 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students ($40,720 vs. $40,573).

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Lutheran University (1150) is 10 points higher than at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (1140).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at PLU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hampden Sydney College 23/28; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at HSC- Hampden-Sydney (3.53).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. 14.1% at PLU.

HSC- Hampden-Sydney vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($25,800 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.