Pacific vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific University is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (3,427 students vs. 2,797 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Pacific vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific or PLU? 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 Pacific ($22,299 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 16.7% lower than at Pacific University ($13,008 vs. $15,620).
• Pacific University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $4,120 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Pacific than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $4,120 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University as at Pacific Lutheran University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Pacific University students ($40,573 vs. $37,139).

Pacific vs. PLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Lutheran University (1150) is 80 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 900/1240; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific University 18/29; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pacific - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at PLU (3.71).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Pacific vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific and PLU? 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).

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Pacific University's (61%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Pacific graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $356 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,800 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($266 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.