Rhodes College vs. PLU

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

Rhodes College PLU
Location Memphis, TN Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,008 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #119 #311
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rhodes.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rhodes College PLU
Tuition (In State) $52,000 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $52,000 $49,472
Room & Board $12,296 $11,826
Avg Net Price $30,672 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $35,712 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 99%

Admission

Rhodes College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,253 3,334
Admitted 2,832 2,964
Acceptance Rate 53.9% 88.9%
Enrolled % 16.8% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.99 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/32 27/30
SAT Range 1310/1470 1253/1423
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 Jan 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Rhodes College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (23%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • English and Literature (11%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Rhodes College PLU
Graduation Rate 75% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,400 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,217 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $271 $266

Diversity

Rhodes College PLU
% Men 42% 36%
% Women 58% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 68%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Rhodes College PLU
% In-State 33% 74%
% Out-of-State 65% 22%

Campus

Rhodes College PLU
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 Rhodes College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,008 students)

Rhodes College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rhodes College or PLU?

  • Rhodes College is 5.1% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($52,000.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.1% higher at Rhodes College than Pacific Lutheran University ($52,000.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Rhodes College ($24,825 vs. $30,672)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 4% lower than costs at Rhodes College ($11,826 vs. $12,296)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Rhodes College (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 2% larger than aid received Rhodes College ($36,435 vs. $35,712)

Rhodes College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rhodes College (1306) is 189 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Rhodes College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Rhodes College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Rhodes College (53.9%)

Rhodes College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rhodes College or PLU? 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 PLU and Rhodes College.

  • The graduation rate at Rhodes College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (75% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Rhodes College earn on average $7,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($59,400 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $417 lower median federal student loan debt than Rhodes College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,217)
  • PLU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Rhodes College graduates. ($266 vs. $271)
  • More Rhodes College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)

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