Mount Saint Mary College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Mount Saint Mary College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 2,491 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary College is located in Newburgh, NY (Small City setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Saint Mary College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary College 12:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Mount Saint Mary College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary College 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 Mount Saint Mary College ($22,299 vs. $26,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 32.9% lower than at Mount Saint Mary College ($13,008 vs. $19,390).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Saint Mary College (about $8,804 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $43,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at PLU than at Mount Saint Mary College (about $8,804 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $43,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary College than at Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 43.1% larger than aid received by Mount Saint Mary College students ($40,573 vs. $28,345).

Mount Saint Mary College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary College 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 Mount Saint Mary College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Saint Mary College (1170) is 20 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary College 1090/1255; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary College - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Mount Saint Mary College (3.3).
• Mount Saint Mary College has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at Mount Saint Mary College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Mount Saint Mary College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary College 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).

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Mount Saint Mary College's (55%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Mount Saint Mary College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $200 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary College graduates ($25,800 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary College graduates ($266 vs. $268).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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.