Westminster College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA 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 Westminster College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Westminster College is located in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Westminster College 12:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Westminster College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Westminster College 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 Westminster College than PLU ($20,394 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 1% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($12,880 vs. $13,008).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westminster College (about $11,964 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at PLU than at Westminster College (about $11,964 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $40,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Westminster College students ($40,573 vs. $32,553).

Westminster College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Westminster College 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 Westminster College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westminster College (1150) is the same as at PLU (1150).
• Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Westminster College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 1040/1258; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Westminster College 20/26; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Westminster College - Test-free; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Westminster College (3.57).
• Westminster College has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Westminster College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Westminster College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Westminster College 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Westminster College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than Westminster College graduates ($25,800 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.