PLU vs. University of Puget Sound

Should I go to Pacific Lutheran University or University of Puget Sound? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLU or University of Puget Sound 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. University of Puget Sound comparison
Pacific Lutheran University University of Puget Sound College 3 College 4
Pacific Lutheran University University of Puget Sound
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Overview

PLU University of Puget Sound
Location Tacoma, WA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 2,633 2,023
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311 #182
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu pugetsound.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLU University of Puget Sound
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $57,330
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $57,330
Room & Board $11,826 $14,430
Avg Net Price $24,825 $41,363
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $32,482
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

PLU University of Puget Sound
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 5,345
Admitted 2,964 4,418
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 82.7%
Enrolled % 17.7% 9.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 27/32
SAT Range 1253/1423 1170/1390
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

PLU University of Puget Sound
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

PLU University of Puget Sound
Graduation Rate 66% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $266 $279

Diversity

PLU University of Puget Sound
% Men 36% 40%
% Women 64% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 74%
% Black 3% 1%
% Hispanic 8% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

PLU University of Puget Sound
% In-State 74% 23%
% Out-of-State 22% 76%

Campus

PLU University of Puget Sound
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 University of Puget Sound based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,023 students)

PLU vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or University of Puget Sound?

  • University of Puget Sound is 15.9% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($57,330.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.9% higher at University of Puget Sound than Pacific Lutheran University ($57,330.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than University of Puget Sound ($24,825 vs. $41,363)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 22% lower than costs at University of Puget Sound ($11,826 vs. $14,430)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Puget Sound than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 12.2% larger than aid received University of Puget Sound ($36,435 vs. $32,482)

PLU vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at University of Puget Sound (3.56)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than University of Puget Sound (82.7%)

PLU vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLU or University of Puget Sound? 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 University of Puget Sound and PLU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Puget Sound is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (73% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn on average $5,300 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($57,600 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than University of Puget Sound graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 74%)

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