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SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Saint Vincent College Pacific Whitman College Gannon University Western Washington University| Westminster College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
| Location | New Wilmington, PA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Town Fringe | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,203 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #546 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | westminster.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $38,760 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $38,760 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,380 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $21,089 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $30,615 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,650 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 2,266 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.5% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.7% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/26 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1040/1258 | 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 |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 74% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $45,700 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 82% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 2% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 77% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 1% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 7% | ||
| % International | 0% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 15% | 1% |
Students |
Westminster College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 70% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Westminster College | 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 Westminster College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,203 students)
Westminster College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Westminster College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 27.6% more expensive to attend than Westminster College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $38,760.00)
- Out of state tuition is 27.6% higher at PLU than Westminster College ($49,472.00 vs. $38,760.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Westminster College than PLU ($21,089 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westminster College are 0.5% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($12,380 vs. $12,446)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Westminster College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 28.9% larger than aid received Westminster College ($39,464 vs. $30,615)
Westminster College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Westminster College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Westminster College .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 89 points higher than at Westminster College (1028)
- Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Westminster College (23)
- 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 (85.5%) than PLU (80.5%)
Westminster College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Westminster College 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 Westminster College.
- The graduation rate at Westminster College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (74% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Westminster College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $45,700)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Westminster College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans 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/