John Brown University vs. PLU

Should I go to John Brown University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if John Brown 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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John Brown University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
John Brown University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
John Brown University Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

John Brown University PLU
Location Siloam Springs, AR Tacoma, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,326 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #244 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jbu.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

John Brown University PLU
Tuition (In State) $28,424 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $28,424 $49,472
Room & Board $9,920 $11,826
Avg Net Price $20,997 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $21,131 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

John Brown University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,490 3,334
Admitted 844 2,964
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 88.9%
Enrolled % 36.3% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/29 27/30
SAT Range 1100/1390 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 15, 2025

Academics

John Brown University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (47%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

John Brown University PLU
Graduation Rate 66% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,600 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,943 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $226 $266

Diversity

John Brown University PLU
% Men 38% 36%
% Women 62% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 68%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

John Brown University PLU
% In-State 39% 74%
% Out-of-State 52% 22%

Campus

John Brown 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 John Brown University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,326 students)

John Brown University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, John Brown University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 74.1% more expensive to attend than John Brown University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $28,424.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.1% higher at PLU than John Brown University ($49,472.00 vs. $28,424.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at John Brown University than PLU ($20,997 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Brown University are 19.2% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($9,920 vs. $11,826)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at John Brown University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 72.4% larger than aid received John Brown University ($36,435 vs. $21,131)

John Brown University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at John Brown University (1209) is 92 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming John Brown University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman John Brown University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than John Brown University (56.6%)

John Brown University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, John Brown 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 John Brown University.

  • The graduation rate at John Brown University is the same as at Pacific Lutheran University (66% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from John Brown University earn on average $1,300 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $52,300)
  • John Brown University students graduate with a $3,857 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($21,943 vs. $25,800)
  • John Brown University graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($226 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former John Brown University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

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