PLU vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA with University of Washington Seattle Campus in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 2,797 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Lutheran University 12:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

PLU vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or UW-Seattle? 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 University of Washington Seattle Campus than PLU ($11,784 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 29.3% lower than at University of Washington Seattle Campus ($13,008 vs. $18,405).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 302.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $39,281 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at PLU than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $9,045 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (98% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 151.1% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($40,573 vs. $16,156).

PLU vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLU or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and PLU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Seattle Campus (1330) is 180 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming UW-Seattle students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at PLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 22/28; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLU - Test optional; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Seattle students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PLU (3.71).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than UW-Seattle (39.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at PLU vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

PLU vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLU and UW-Seattle? 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).

• University of Washington Seattle Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $10,800 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($155 vs. $266).
• More UW-Seattle graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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.