PLU vs. Whitman College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,561 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
• Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Lutheran University 12:1; Whitman College 10:1.

PLU vs. Whitman College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or Whitman College? 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 Pacific Lutheran University than Whitman College ($22,299 vs. $37,633).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 13.7% lower than at Whitman College ($13,008 vs. $15,080).
• Whitman College is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $11,796 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Whitman College than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $11,796 more per year; $64,050.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Whitman College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($40,573 vs. $40,489).

PLU vs. Whitman College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLU or Whitman College? 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 Whitman College and PLU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whitman College (1400) is 250 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming Whitman College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at PLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260; Whitman College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Lutheran University 22/28; Whitman College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLU - Test optional; Whitman College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Whitman College (3.68).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than Whitman College (38.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at PLU vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

PLU vs. Whitman College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLU and Whitman College? 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).

• Whitman College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Whitman College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,300 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($180 vs. $266).
• More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (93% 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.