Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU UW-Seattle Penn State Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University UHart CCSU University of Puget Sound Monmouth University Delaware Valley University| University of Saint Joseph | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
USJ | PLU | ||
| Location | West Hartford, CT | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,939 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #372 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | usj.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
USJ | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $45,608 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $45,608 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,590 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $27,558 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $29,098 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 99% |
Admission |
USJ | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 1,778 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 1,416 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 79.6% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.2% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | |||
| SAT Range | 960/1250 | 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 |
USJ | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 12:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
USJ | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 56% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $51,200 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
USJ | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 11% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 44% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 54% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 16% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 17% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 6% | 1% |
Students |
USJ | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 77% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 22% | 12% | ||
Campus |
USJ | 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
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than USJ based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,939 students)
USJ vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, USJ or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 8.5% more expensive to attend than USJ for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $45,608.00)
- Out of state tuition is 8.5% higher at PLU than University of Saint Joseph ($49,472.00 vs. $45,608.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than USJ ($23,841 vs. $27,558)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 9.2% lower than costs at University of Saint Joseph ($12,446 vs. $13,590)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than University of Saint Joseph (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 35.6% larger than aid received University of Saint Joseph ($39,464 vs. $29,098)
USJ vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, USJ or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or USJ .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 185 points higher than at USJ (932)
- Incoming PLU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at USJ (19)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at USJ (3.46)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than USJ (79.6%)
USJ vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, USJ 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 USJ.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than University of Saint Joseph (66% vs. 56%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $1,100 more per year than USJ graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $51,200)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than USJ graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than USJ graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USJ students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/