University of Redlands vs. PLU

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

Overview

University of Redlands PLU
Location Redlands, CA Tacoma, WA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,460 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #248 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website redlands.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Redlands PLU
Tuition (In State) $55,328 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $55,328 $49,472
Room & Board $15,758 $11,826
Avg Net Price $28,157 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $42,251 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 99%

Admission

University of Redlands PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,872 3,334
Admitted 3,170 2,964
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 88.9%
Enrolled % 17% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 25/30 27/30
SAT Range 1113/1278 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 Jul 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

University of Redlands PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

University of Redlands PLU
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,400 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $294 $266

Diversity

University of Redlands PLU
% Men 39% 36%
% Women 61% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 48% 68%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 27% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 8% 1%

Students

University of Redlands PLU
% In-State 75% 74%
% Out-of-State 23% 22%

Campus

University of Redlands 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

  • University of Redlands is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (3,460 students vs. 2,633 students)

University of Redlands vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Redlands or PLU?

  • University of Redlands is 11.8% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($55,328.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.8% higher at University of Redlands than Pacific Lutheran University ($55,328.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than University of Redlands ($24,825 vs. $28,157)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 33.2% lower than costs at University of Redlands ($11,826 vs. $15,758)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than University of Redlands (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Redlands students is 16% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($42,251 vs. $36,435)

University of Redlands vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Redlands (1130) is 13 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming University of Redlands students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman University of Redlands students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than University of Redlands (81.9%)

University of Redlands vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Redlands 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 University of Redlands.

  • The graduation rate at University of Redlands is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from University of Redlands earn on average $4,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($56,400 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,700 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Redlands graduates. ($25,800 vs. $28,500)
  • PLU graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than University of Redlands graduates. ($266 vs. $294)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Redlands students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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