Lewis and Clark vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lewis & Clark College is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (3,504 students vs. 2,797 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lewis and Clark vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark ($22,299 vs. $37,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 16.9% lower than at Lewis & Clark College ($13,008 vs. $15,648).
• Lewis & Clark College is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $12,574 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.1% higher at Lewis and Clark than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $12,574 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students ($42,021 vs. $40,573).

Lewis and Clark vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lewis & Clark College (1300) is 150 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming Lewis and Clark students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at PLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lewis & Clark College 28/31; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lewis and Clark - Test-free; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at PLU (3.71).
• Lewis and Clark has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.7% at Lewis and Clark vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Lewis and Clark vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lewis and Clark 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).

• Lewis & Clark College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Lewis and Clark graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis & Clark College graduates have a $1,300 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Lewis and Clark graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($253 vs. $266).
• More Lewis and Clark graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.