Lycoming College vs. PLU

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

Lycoming College PLU
Location Williamsport, PA Tacoma, WA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,063 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #293 #429
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lycoming.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lycoming College PLU
Tuition (In State) $46,720 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $46,720 $49,472
Room & Board $14,612 $12,446
Avg Net Price $20,733 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $40,733 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Lycoming College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,225 4,139
Admitted 2,189 3,333
Acceptance Rate 67.9% 80.5%
Enrolled % 13.4% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1273 988/1258
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, 2026

Academics

Lycoming College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • History (9%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Lycoming College PLU
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,800 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Lycoming College PLU
% Men 0% 4%
% Women 1% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 68%
% Black 9% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Lycoming College PLU
% In-State 63% 80%
% Out-of-State 35% 12%

Campus

Lycoming College 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 Lycoming College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,063 students)

Lycoming College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lycoming College or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 5.9% more expensive to attend than Lycoming College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $46,720.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at PLU than Lycoming College ($49,472.00 vs. $46,720.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lycoming College than PLU ($20,733 vs. $23,841)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 17.4% lower than costs at Lycoming College ($12,446 vs. $14,612)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lycoming College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lycoming College students is 3.2% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($40,733 vs. $39,464)

Lycoming College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 83 points higher than at Lycoming College (1034)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Lycoming College (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Lycoming College (3.57)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Lycoming College (67.9%)

Lycoming College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lycoming College 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 Lycoming College.

  • The graduation rate at Lycoming College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $3,500 more per year than Lycoming College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,800)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Lycoming College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Lycoming College graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Lycoming College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)

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