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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University F&M Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University University of Portland| Washington & Jefferson College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
W&J | PLU | ||
| Location | Washington, PA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,162 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #238 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | washjeff.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
W&J | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $27,605 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $27,605 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,910 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $26,051 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $38,971 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
W&J | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,218 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 2,624 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 81.5% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.54 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/28 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1010/1250 | 988/1258 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2026 |
Academics |
W&J | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
W&J | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 74% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $56,900 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 79% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
W&J | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 1% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 7% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
W&J | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 73% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 25% | 12% | ||
Campus |
W&J | 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
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than W&J based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,162 students)
W&J vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, W&J or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 79.2% more expensive to attend than W&J for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $27,605.00)
- Out of state tuition is 79.2% higher at PLU than Washington & Jefferson College ($49,472.00 vs. $27,605.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than W&J ($23,841 vs. $26,051)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 11.8% lower than costs at Washington & Jefferson College ($12,446 vs. $13,910)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 1.3% larger than aid received Washington & Jefferson College ($39,464 vs. $38,971)
W&J vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, W&J or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or W&J .
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at W&J (3.54)
- W&J has a higher acceptance rate (81.5%) than PLU (80.5%)
W&J vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, W&J 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 W&J.
- The graduation rate at W&J is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (74% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn on average $4,600 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $52,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than W&J graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than W&J graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/