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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland Washington State| Stephens College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
| Location | Columbia, MO | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 532 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | stephens.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $27,000 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $27,000 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,098 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,261 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $19,424 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 414 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 379 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 91.5% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 19.5% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.27 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1130/1270 | 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 | Nov 1, 2025 | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 7:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 55% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 28% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 15% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 6% | 7% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Stephens College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 54% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 41% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Stephens College | 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 Stephens College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 532 students)
Stephens College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Stephens College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 83.2% more expensive to attend than Stephens College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $27,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 83.2% higher at PLU than Stephens College ($49,472.00 vs. $27,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephens College than PLU ($23,261 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 5.2% lower than costs at Stephens College ($12,446 vs. $13,098)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Stephens College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 103.2% larger than aid received Stephens College ($39,464 vs. $19,424)
Stephens College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Stephens College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Stephens College .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 81 points higher than at Stephens College (1036)
- Incoming PLU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Stephens College (22)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Stephens College (3.27)
- Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than PLU (80.5%)
Stephens College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Stephens 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 Stephens College.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Stephens College (66% vs. 55%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $14,900 more per year than Stephens College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $37,400)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Stephens College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Stephens College graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/