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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Roosevelt University Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland| McKendree University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
| Location | Lebanon, IL | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,075 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #593 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mckendree.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $32,660 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $32,660 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,270 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,200 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $22,269 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 89% | 99% |
Admission |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,652 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 1,694 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.9% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 25.7% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.38 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/28 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 871/1277 | 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 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,300 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 58% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,250 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $240 | $266 |
Diversity |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 15% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 14% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 1% |
Students |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 54% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 31% | 12% | ||
Campus |
McKendree University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 2,075 students)
McKendree University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 51.5% more expensive to attend than McKendree University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $32,660.00)
- Out of state tuition is 51.5% higher at PLU than McKendree University ($49,472.00 vs. $32,660.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than McKendree University ($23,841 vs. $25,200)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 1.4% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($12,270 vs. $12,446)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than McKendree University (99% vs. 89%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 77.2% larger than aid received McKendree University ($39,464 vs. $22,269)
McKendree University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, McKendree University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or McKendree University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 111 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
- Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at McKendree University (22)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than McKendree University (63.9%)
McKendree University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, McKendree 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 McKendree University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than McKendree University (66% vs. 54%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $4,000 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,300)
- McKendree University students graduate with a $2,550 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $25,800)
- McKendree University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($240 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/