Kettering University vs. PLU

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

Kettering University PLU
Location Flint, MI Tacoma, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,769 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #255 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website kettering.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Kettering University PLU
Tuition (In State) $44,380 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $44,380 $49,472
Room & Board $8,930 $11,826
Avg Net Price $34,486 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $24,697 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Kettering University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,823 3,334
Admitted 1,472 2,964
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 88.9%
Enrolled % 20% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30 27/30
SAT Range 1130/1370 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

Kettering University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (91%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Business (3%)
  • Mathematics (2%)
  • Biology (1%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Kettering University PLU
Graduation Rate 59% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $76,000 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,399 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $272 $266

Diversity

Kettering University PLU
% Men 79% 36%
% Women 21% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 1%

Students

Kettering University PLU
% In-State 83% 74%
% Out-of-State 16% 22%

Campus

Kettering 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 Kettering University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,769 students)

Kettering University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kettering University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 11.5% more expensive to attend than Kettering University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $44,380.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.5% higher at PLU than Kettering University ($49,472.00 vs. $44,380.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Kettering University ($24,825 vs. $34,486)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kettering University are 32.4% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($8,930 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Kettering University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 47.5% larger than aid received Kettering University ($36,435 vs. $24,697)

Kettering University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Kettering University (1204) is 87 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Kettering University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Kettering 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 Kettering University (80.7%)

Kettering University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Kettering 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 Kettering University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Kettering University (66% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Kettering University earn on average $23,700 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($76,000 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $599 lower median federal student loan debt than Kettering University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,399)
  • PLU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Kettering University graduates. ($266 vs. $272)
  • More Kettering University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 74%)

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