Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University St Olaf University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Wheaton College Western Washington University| Martin Luther College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
MLC | PLU | ||
| Location | New Ulm, MN | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 860 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mlc-wels.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
MLC | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $17,770 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,770 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,280 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,072 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,222 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
MLC | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 218 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 180 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 82.6% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 83.3% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.56 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 22/27 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1078/1256 | 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 |
MLC | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 12:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
MLC | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 73% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,000 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 89% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,125 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $239 | $266 |
Diversity |
MLC | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 8% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Extremely Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 93% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 1% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 1% |
Students |
MLC | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 11% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 89% | 12% | ||
Campus |
MLC | 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 MLC based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 860 students)
MLC vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, MLC or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 178.4% more expensive to attend than MLC for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $17,770.00)
- Out of state tuition is 178.4% higher at PLU than Martin Luther College ($49,472.00 vs. $17,770.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Martin Luther College than PLU ($21,072 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 71% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($7,280 vs. $12,446)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Martin Luther College as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 380% larger than aid received Martin Luther College ($39,464 vs. $8,222)
MLC vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, MLC or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or MLC .
- The average SAT score at Martin Luther College (1145) is 28 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming MLC students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at MLC (3.56)
- MLC has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than PLU (80.5%)
MLC vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, MLC 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 MLC.
- The graduation rate at MLC is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (73% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $14,300 more per year than MLC graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $38,000)
- Martin Luther College students graduate with a $2,675 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($23,125 vs. $25,800)
- MLC graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($239 vs. $266)
- More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/