PLU vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA with Oregon State University Cascades Campus in Bend, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,296 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting); Oregon State University Cascades Campus is in Bend, OR (Small City setting).
• Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Oregon State University Cascades Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Lutheran University 12:1; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 9:1.

PLU vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Oregon State University Cascades Campus than PLU ($19,772 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 20.6% lower than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus ($13,008 vs. $16,386).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 285.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (about $38,688 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $13,566.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.9% higher at PLU than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (about $14,898 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $37,356.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 267.3% larger than aid received by Oregon State University Cascades Campus students ($40,573 vs. $11,046).

PLU vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLU or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus and PLU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oregon State University Cascades Campus (1230) is 80 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260; Oregon State University Cascades Campus 1143/1318.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLU - Test optional; Oregon State University-Cascades Campus - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (63.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at PLU vs. 13.8% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus.

PLU vs. Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLU and Oregon State University-Cascades Campus? 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).

• Graduates from Oregon State University Cascades Campus earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oregon State University Cascades Campus graduates have a $2,300 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($242 vs. $266).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oregon State University-Cascades Campus students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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.