Linfield vs. PLU

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

Linfield PLU
Location McMinnville, OR Tacoma, WA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,726 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #232 #429
Religious Affiliation American Baptist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website linfield.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Linfield PLU
Tuition (In State) $48,680 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $48,680 $49,472
Room & Board $14,060 $12,446
Avg Net Price $31,462 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $32,598 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Linfield PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,963 4,139
Admitted 1,726 3,333
Acceptance Rate 87.9% 80.5%
Enrolled % 20% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 21/27
SAT Range 1050/1210 988/1258
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Linfield PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Linfield PLU
Graduation Rate 73% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,400 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $258 $266

Diversity

Linfield PLU
% Men 1% 4%
% Women 2% 9%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 60% 68%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 13% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 13% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Linfield PLU
% In-State 66% 80%
% Out-of-State 33% 12%

Campus

Linfield 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 Linfield based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,726 students)

Linfield vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Linfield or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Linfield for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $48,680.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at PLU than Linfield University ($49,472.00 vs. $48,680.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Linfield ($23,841 vs. $31,462)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 13% lower than costs at Linfield University ($12,446 vs. $14,060)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Linfield University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 21.1% larger than aid received Linfield University ($39,464 vs. $32,598)

Linfield vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 56 points higher than at Linfield (1061)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Linfield (23)
  • Accepted freshman Linfield students have at the same average high school GPA (3.71) as students at PLU (3.71)
  • Linfield has a higher acceptance rate (87.9%) than PLU (80.5%)

Linfield vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Linfield 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 Linfield.

  • The graduation rate at Linfield is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (73% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Linfield University earn on average $4,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($56,400 vs. $52,300)
  • Linfield University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,800)
  • Linfield graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More Linfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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