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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gannon University Penn State Saint Vincent College Pace University-New York Duquesne University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound| Saint Francis University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
| Location | Loretto, PA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,835 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #475 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | francis.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $41,020 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $41,020 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,880 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,421 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $30,216 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,259 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 1,737 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.9% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 21.8% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.69 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/26 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1020/1250 | 988/1258 | ||
| 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 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 64% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,000 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 46% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 7% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 1% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 41% | 1% |
Students |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 72% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 26% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Saint Francis University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Saint Francis University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,835 students vs. 2,737 students)
Saint Francis University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Saint Francis University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 20.6% more expensive to attend than Saint Francis University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $41,020.00)
- Out of state tuition is 20.6% higher at PLU than Saint Francis University ($49,472.00 vs. $41,020.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Saint Francis University ($23,841 vs. $27,421)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 11.5% lower than costs at Saint Francis University ($12,446 vs. $13,880)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Saint Francis University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 30.6% larger than aid received Saint Francis University ($39,464 vs. $30,216)
Saint Francis University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Saint Francis University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Saint Francis University .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 57 points higher than at Saint Francis University (1060)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Saint Francis University (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Saint Francis University (3.69)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Saint Francis University (76.9%)
Saint Francis University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Saint Francis University 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 Saint Francis University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Saint Francis University (66% vs. 64%)
- Graduates from Saint Francis University earn on average $1,700 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $52,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Saint Francis University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Saint Francis University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Francis University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/