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IIT SPU Wisconsin Michigan Tech Marquette University Rose-Hulman Purdue UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University UIC Gonzaga| Pacific Lutheran University | Milwaukee School of Engineering | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
PLU | MSOE | ||
| Location | Tacoma, WA | Milwaukee, WI | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,633 | 2,729 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #311 | #243 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | plu.edu | msoe.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
PLU | MSOE | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $49,472 | $44,601 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $49,472 | $44,601 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,826 | $12,494 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $24,825 | $25,661 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $36,435 | $31,850 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
PLU | MSOE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,334 | 5,478 | ||
| Admitted | 2,964 | 3,477 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 88.9% | 63.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.7% | 19.3% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.65 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very High | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 27/30 | 24/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1253/1423 | 1160/1405 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 | Sep 1, 2024 |
Academics |
PLU | MSOE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
PLU | MSOE | ||
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 57% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $52,300 | $68,900 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 83% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,800 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $266 | $279 |
Diversity |
PLU | MSOE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 71% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 29% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 66% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 5% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 13% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 8% |
Students |
PLU | MSOE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 74% | 58% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 22% | 38% | ||
Campus |
PLU | MSOE | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,729 students vs. 2,633 students)
PLU vs. MSOE Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, PLU or MSOE?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 10.9% more expensive to attend than MSOE for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $44,601.00)
- Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at PLU than Milwaukee School of Engineering ($49,472.00 vs. $44,601.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than MSOE ($24,825 vs. $25,661)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 5.6% lower than costs at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,826 vs. $12,494)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 14.4% larger than aid received Milwaukee School of Engineering ($36,435 vs. $31,850)
PLU vs. MSOE Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, PLU or MSOE? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MSOE or PLU .
- The average SAT score at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1248) is 131 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming MSOE students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at MSOE (3.65)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than MSOE (63.5%)
PLU vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, PLU or MSOE? 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 MSOE and PLU.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering (66% vs. 57%)
- Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn on average $16,600 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($68,900 vs. $52,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than MSOE graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than MSOE graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/