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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland Washington State Evergreen| Pacific Lutheran University | Saint Martin's University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
| Location | Tacoma, WA | Lacey, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Midsize Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,737 | 1,505 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | #607 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church | Roman Catholic | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | plu.edu | stmartin.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $49,472 | $43,600 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $49,472 | $43,600 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,446 | $13,980 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,841 | $22,779 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $39,464 | $33,751 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 83% |
Admission |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,139 | 3,473 | ||
| Admitted | 3,333 | 2,637 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.5% | 75.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.7% | 10% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.46 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 14/22 | ||
| SAT Range | 988/1258 | 970/1180 | ||
| 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 15, 2026 | Jul 31, 2026 |
Academics |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 48% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $52,300 | $48,500 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 66% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,800 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $266 | $258 |
Diversity |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 7% | ||
| % Women | 9% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 54% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 13% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 2% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 6% | ||
| % International | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 3% |
Students |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 18% | ||
Campus |
PLU | Saint Martin's University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Saint Martin's University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,505 students)
PLU vs. Saint Martin's University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, PLU or Saint Martin's University?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 13.5% more expensive to attend than Saint Martin's University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $43,600.00)
- Out of state tuition is 13.5% higher at PLU than Saint Martin's University ($49,472.00 vs. $43,600.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Martin's University than PLU ($22,779 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 12.3% lower than costs at Saint Martin's University ($12,446 vs. $13,980)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Saint Martin's University (99% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 16.9% larger than aid received Saint Martin's University ($39,464 vs. $33,751)
PLU vs. Saint Martin's University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, PLU or Saint Martin's University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Saint Martin's University or PLU .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 70 points higher than at Saint Martin's University (1047)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Saint Martin's University (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Saint Martin's University (3.46)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Saint Martin's University (75.9%)
PLU vs. Saint Martin's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, PLU or Saint Martin's University? 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 Saint Martin's University and PLU.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Saint Martin's University (66% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $3,800 more per year than Saint Martin's University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,500)
- Saint Martin's University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,800)
- Saint Martin's University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Martin's University 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/