Trinity vs. PLU

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

Trinity PLU
Location San Antonio, TX Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,692 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #69 #311
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website trinity.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Trinity PLU
Tuition (In State) $48,648 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $48,648 $49,472
Room & Board $14,134 $11,826
Avg Net Price $30,038 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $33,614 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Trinity PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,463 3,334
Admitted 3,497 2,964
Acceptance Rate 30.5% 88.9%
Enrolled % 18.7% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Very High
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 29/33 27/30
SAT Range 1310/1470 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 Jan 15, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Trinity PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (32%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Foreign Languages (9%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Trinity PLU
Graduation Rate 80% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $62,800 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 88% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $263 $266

Diversity

Trinity PLU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 20% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Trinity PLU
% In-State 76% 74%
% Out-of-State 18% 22%

Campus

Trinity 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

  • Trinity University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,692 students vs. 2,633 students)

Trinity vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trinity or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 1.7% more expensive to attend than Trinity for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $48,648.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at PLU than Trinity University ($49,472.00 vs. $48,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Trinity ($24,825 vs. $30,038)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 19.5% lower than costs at Trinity University ($11,826 vs. $14,134)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Trinity University as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 8.4% larger than aid received Trinity University ($36,435 vs. $33,614)

Trinity vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Trinity University (1294) is 177 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Trinity students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (30) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Trinity (3.68)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Trinity (30.5%)

Trinity vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Trinity 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 Trinity.

  • The graduation rate at Trinity is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (80% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Trinity University earn on average $10,500 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($62,800 vs. $52,300)
  • Trinity University students graduate with a $300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,500 vs. $25,800)
  • Trinity graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($263 vs. $266)
  • More Trinity graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 74%)

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