Seton Hill University vs. PLU

Should I go to Seton Hill University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Seton Hill University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Seton Hill University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Seton Hill University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Seton Hill University Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Seton Hill University PLU
Location Greensburg, PA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,984 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #700 #429
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website setonhill.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Seton Hill University PLU
Tuition (In State) $40,864 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $40,864 $49,472
Room & Board $13,778 $12,446
Avg Net Price $23,732 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $31,017 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Seton Hill University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,441 4,139
Admitted 1,850 3,333
Acceptance Rate 75.8% 80.5%
Enrolled % 17.2% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1270 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 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Seton Hill University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Seton Hill University PLU
Graduation Rate 45% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,000 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Seton Hill University PLU
% Men 6% 4%
% Women 13% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 82% 68%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Seton Hill University PLU
% In-State 71% 80%
% Out-of-State 25% 12%

Campus

Seton Hill 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

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Seton Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,984 students)

Seton Hill University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Seton Hill University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 21.1% more expensive to attend than Seton Hill University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $40,864.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.1% higher at PLU than Seton Hill University ($49,472.00 vs. $40,864.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seton Hill University than PLU ($23,732 vs. $23,841)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 10.7% lower than costs at Seton Hill University ($12,446 vs. $13,778)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seton Hill University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 27.2% larger than aid received Seton Hill University ($39,464 vs. $31,017)

Seton Hill University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Seton Hill University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Seton Hill University (75.8%)

Seton Hill University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Seton Hill 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 Seton Hill University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Seton Hill University (66% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $11,300 more per year than Seton Hill University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $41,000)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Seton Hill University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Seton Hill University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seton Hill University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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