Springfield College vs. PLU

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

Springfield College PLU
Location Springfield, MA Tacoma, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,785 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #258 #429
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website spfldcol.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Springfield College PLU
Tuition (In State) $42,566 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $42,566 $49,472
Room & Board $14,202 $12,446
Avg Net Price $29,198 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $28,817 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Springfield College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,614 4,139
Admitted 2,538 3,333
Acceptance Rate 70.2% 80.5%
Enrolled % 18.8% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.56 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 1070/1260 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 1, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

Springfield College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (22%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Springfield College PLU
Graduation Rate 67% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,200 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $253 $266

Diversity

Springfield College PLU
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 21% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 68%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Springfield College PLU
% In-State 32% 80%
% Out-of-State 63% 12%

Campus

Springfield College PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Springfield College is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,785 students vs. 2,737 students)

Springfield College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Springfield College or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 16.2% more expensive to attend than Springfield College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $42,566.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.2% higher at PLU than Springfield College ($49,472.00 vs. $42,566.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Springfield College ($23,841 vs. $29,198)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 14.1% lower than costs at Springfield College ($12,446 vs. $14,202)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Springfield College (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 36.9% larger than aid received Springfield College ($39,464 vs. $28,817)

Springfield College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 75 points higher than at Springfield College (1042)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Springfield College (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Springfield College (3.56)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than Springfield College (70.2%)

Springfield College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Springfield 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 Springfield College.

  • The graduation rate at Springfield College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (67% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $5,100 more per year than Springfield College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $47,200)
  • Springfield College students graduate with a $1,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,800)
  • Springfield College graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($253 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Springfield College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 55%)

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