Evergreen vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Evergreen based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 2,490 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Evergreen State College is located in Olympia, WA (Midsize Suburban setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• The Evergreen State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Evergreen State College 17:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Evergreen vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Evergreen or PLU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The Evergreen State College than PLU ($18,350 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 10.8% lower than at The Evergreen State College ($13,008 vs. $14,589).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 464.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Evergreen (about $42,990 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $9,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.8% higher at PLU than at The Evergreen State College (about $20,349 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $31,905.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at The Evergreen State College (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 253.9% larger than aid received by The Evergreen State College students ($40,573 vs. $11,466).

Evergreen vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Evergreen or PLU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PLU and Evergreen.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Lutheran University (1150) is 10 points higher than at Evergreen (1140).
• Incoming Evergreen students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at PLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Evergreen State College 1035/1253; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Evergreen State College 23/29; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Evergreen - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Evergreen (3.12).
• Evergreen has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.4% at Evergreen vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Evergreen vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Evergreen and PLU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than The Evergreen State College's (54%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Evergreen graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Evergreen State College graduates have a $8,205 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($17,595 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Evergreen graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($181 vs. $266).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Evergreen students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.