Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU Willamette University UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Lewis and Clark Whitman College UWT Lewis-Clark State College Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Western Washington University| Pacific Lutheran University | University of Puget Sound | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
PLU | University of Puget Sound | ||
| Location | Tacoma, WA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,737 | 1,914 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | #194 | ||
| 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 | $59,340 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $49,472 | $59,340 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,446 | $15,040 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,841 | $42,301 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $39,464 | $33,161 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 99% |
Admission |
PLU | University of Puget Sound | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,139 | 5,548 | ||
| Admitted | 3,333 | 4,232 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.5% | 76.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.7% | 10.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.56 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 27/31 | ||
| SAT Range | 988/1258 | 1185/1390 | ||
| 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, 2026 | Jan 15, 2026 |
Academics |
PLU | University of Puget Sound | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 10:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
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 | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 9% | 11% | ||
| 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 | 80% | 23% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 77% | ||
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 (2,737 students vs. 1,914 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 19.9% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($59,340.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19.9% higher at University of Puget Sound than Pacific Lutheran University ($59,340.00 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 ($23,841 vs. $42,301)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 20.8% lower than costs at University of Puget Sound ($12,446 vs. $15,040)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University as University of Puget Sound (99% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 19% larger than aid received University of Puget Sound ($39,464 vs. $33,161)
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 (80.5%) than University of Puget Sound (76.3%)
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/