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SPU Skidmore College UW-Seattle Lipscomb Seattle U Whitworth University Belmont Union College Samford University Denison Gonzaga Saint Martin's University| Union University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Union University | PLU | ||
| Location | Jackson, TN | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Small City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,731 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #169 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Southern Baptist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | uu.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Union University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $35,500 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $35,500 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,740 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $28,585 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $28,520 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Union University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,839 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 1,492 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 52.6% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 22.4% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.8 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 23/30 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1100/1370 | 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 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Union University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 8:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Union University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 61% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $48,200 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 66% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,840 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $256 | $266 |
Diversity |
Union University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 34% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 66% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 70% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 1% |
Students |
Union University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 62% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 36% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Union University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Union University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,731 students vs. 2,633 students)
Union University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Union University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 39.4% more expensive to attend than Union University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $35,500.00)
- Out of state tuition is 39.4% higher at PLU than Union University ($49,472.00 vs. $35,500.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Union University ($24,825 vs. $28,585)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union University are 10.1% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,740 vs. $11,826)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Union University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 27.8% larger than aid received Union University ($36,435 vs. $28,520)
Union University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Union University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Union University .
- The average SAT score at Union University (1163) is 46 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Union University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman Union University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at PLU (3.71)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Union University (52.6%)
Union University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Union 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 Union University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Union University (66% vs. 61%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $4,100 more per year than Union University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,200)
- Union University students graduate with a $960 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($24,840 vs. $25,800)
- Union University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($256 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/