Rose-Hulman vs. PLU

Should I go to Rose Hulman Institute of Technology or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rose-Hulman 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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Rose Hulman Institute of Technology vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Rose Hulman Institute of Technology Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Rose Hulman Institute of Technology Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Rose-Hulman PLU
Location Terre Haute, IN Tacoma, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,188 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #129 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rose-hulman.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rose-Hulman PLU
Tuition (In State) $50,961 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $50,961 $49,472
Room & Board $16,647 $11,826
Avg Net Price $41,678 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $30,973 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Rose-Hulman PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,011 3,334
Admitted 3,659 2,964
Acceptance Rate 73% 88.9%
Enrolled % 16.5% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 4.0 3.71
Typical High School Grades A/A+ A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/33 27/30
SAT Range 1290/1483 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 Mar 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Rose-Hulman PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (84%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Physical Sciences (3%)
  • Biology (3%)
  • Mathematics (3%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Rose-Hulman PLU
Graduation Rate 77% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $84,200 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 90% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Rose-Hulman PLU
% Men 76% 36%
% Women 24% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 68%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 12% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Rose-Hulman PLU
% In-State 29% 74%
% Out-of-State 63% 22%

Campus

Rose-Hulman 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 Rose-Hulman based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,188 students)

Rose-Hulman vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rose-Hulman or PLU?

  • Rose Hulman Institute of Technology is 3% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($50,961.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3% higher at Rose-Hulman than Pacific Lutheran University ($50,961.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Rose-Hulman ($24,825 vs. $41,678)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 40.8% lower than costs at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology ($11,826 vs. $16,647)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 17.6% larger than aid received Rose Hulman Institute of Technology ($36,435 vs. $30,973)

Rose-Hulman vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (1322) is 205 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Rose-Hulman students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Rose-Hulman students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Rose-Hulman (73%)

Rose-Hulman vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Rose-Hulman 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 Rose-Hulman.

  • The graduation rate at Rose-Hulman is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (77% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology earn on average $31,900 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($84,200 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Rose-Hulman graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Rose-Hulman graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More Rose-Hulman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 74%)

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