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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland George Fox University| Northwest University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
| Location | Kirkland, WA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 999 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | Assemblies of God Church | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | northwestu.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,535 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,535 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,648 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $25,917 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $21,864 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 586 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 516 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.1% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 29.5% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.41 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 24/29 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1040/1325 | 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 1, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,400 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 62% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,532 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $266 |
Diversity |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 12% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 21% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 7% | ||
| % International | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Northwest University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 79% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 18% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Northwest 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 Northwest University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 999 students)
Northwest University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Northwest University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 39.2% more expensive to attend than Northwest University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $35,535.00)
- Out of state tuition is 39.2% higher at PLU than Northwest University ($49,472.00 vs. $35,535.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Northwest University ($23,841 vs. $25,917)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 16.9% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,648 vs. $12,446)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northwest University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 80.5% larger than aid received Northwest University ($39,464 vs. $21,864)
Northwest University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Northwest University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Northwest University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 121 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
- Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwest University (22)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Northwest University (3.41)
- Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than PLU (80.5%)
Northwest University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Northwest 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 Northwest University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Northwest University (66% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $10,900 more per year than Northwest University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $41,400)
- Northwest University students graduate with a $4,268 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($21,532 vs. $25,800)
- Northwest University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($222 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/