PLU vs. SPU

Should I go to Pacific Lutheran University or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLU or SPU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Pacific Lutheran University vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Pacific Lutheran University Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Pacific Lutheran University Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

PLU SPU
Location Tacoma, WA Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,633 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311 #270
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLU SPU
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $36,504
Room & Board $11,826 $14,409
Avg Net Price $24,825 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

PLU SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 3,895
Admitted 2,964 3,533
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 90.7%
Enrolled % 17.7% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 20/27
SAT Range 1253/1423 1080/1350
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, 2025 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

PLU SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

PLU SPU
Graduation Rate 66% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $266 $264

Diversity

PLU SPU
% Men 36% 31%
% Women 64% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 61%
% Black 3% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

PLU SPU
% In-State 74% 71%
% Out-of-State 22% 26%

Campus

PLU SPU
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

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (3,118 students vs. 2,633 students)

PLU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or SPU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 35.5% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.5% higher at PLU than Seattle Pacific University ($49,472.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than SPU ($24,825 vs. $26,549)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 21.8% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,826 vs. $14,409)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University as Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 43.7% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($36,435 vs. $25,359)

PLU vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLU or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or PLU .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 28 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than PLU (88.9%)

PLU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLU or SPU? 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 SPU and PLU.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (74% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $1,900 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $50,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $197 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,603 vs. $25,800)
  • SPU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($264 vs. $266)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/