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PLNU Pepperdine SPU Biola University UCSB Chapman UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Wheaton College Loyola Marymount USD| Westmont College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
| Location | Santa Barbara, CA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 1,284 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #146 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | westmont.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $48,840 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $48,840 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,760 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $33,112 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $33,900 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 99% |
Admission |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,326 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 1,907 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 82% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 16.5% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.59 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Exceptional | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 30/33 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 1280/1458 | 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 |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 10:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 77% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,600 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 86% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,123 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $259 | $266 |
Diversity |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 64% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 15% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 7% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 1% |
Students |
Westmont College | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 65% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 33% | 22% | ||
Campus |
Westmont 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 Westmont College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,284 students)
Westmont College vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Westmont College or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 1.3% more expensive to attend than Westmont College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $48,840.00)
- Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at PLU than Westmont College ($49,472.00 vs. $48,840.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Westmont College ($24,825 vs. $33,112)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 33.3% lower than costs at Westmont College ($11,826 vs. $15,760)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Westmont College (99% vs. 97%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 7.5% larger than aid received Westmont College ($36,435 vs. $33,900)
Westmont College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Westmont College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Westmont College .
- The average SAT score at Westmont College (1179) is 62 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Westmont College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Westmont College (3.59)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Westmont College (82%)
Westmont College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Westmont 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 Westmont College.
- The graduation rate at Westmont College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (77% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Westmont College earn on average $2,300 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($54,600 vs. $52,300)
- Westmont College students graduate with a $677 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,123 vs. $25,800)
- Westmont College graduates are paying $7 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($259 vs. $266)
- More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/