St Lawrence University vs. PLU

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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Hobart William Smith Colleges Clarkson Union College Skidmore College SPU Sarah Lawrence Syracuse Providence UVM Colgate Fordham Connecticut College
St Lawrence University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
St Lawrence University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
St Lawrence University Pacific Lutheran University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

St Lawrence University PLU
Location Canton, NY Tacoma, WA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,175 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #159 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website stlawu.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

St Lawrence University PLU
Tuition (In State) $61,600 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $61,600 $49,472
Room & Board $15,995 $11,826
Avg Net Price $33,283 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $44,093 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

St Lawrence University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,172 3,334
Admitted 3,284 2,964
Acceptance Rate 63.5% 88.9%
Enrolled % 16.2% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32 27/30
SAT Range 1240/1410 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 Feb 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

St Lawrence University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (30%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

St Lawrence University PLU
Graduation Rate 80% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,100 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

St Lawrence University PLU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 68%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

St Lawrence University PLU
% In-State 34% 74%
% Out-of-State 55% 22%

Campus

St Lawrence University 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 St Lawrence University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,175 students)

St Lawrence University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St Lawrence University or PLU?

  • St Lawrence University is 24.5% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($61,600.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.5% higher at St Lawrence University than Pacific Lutheran University ($61,600.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than St Lawrence University ($24,825 vs. $33,283)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 35.3% lower than costs at St Lawrence University ($11,826 vs. $15,995)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than St Lawrence University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by St Lawrence University students is 21% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($44,093 vs. $36,435)

St Lawrence University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at St Lawrence University (3.6)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than St Lawrence University (63.5%)

St Lawrence University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, St Lawrence 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 St Lawrence University.

  • The graduation rate at St Lawrence University is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (80% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from St Lawrence University earn on average $800 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($53,100 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than St Lawrence University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than St Lawrence University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More St Lawrence University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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