William Jewell College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare William Jewell College in Liberty, MO 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 William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Jewell College is located in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Jewell College 10:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

William Jewell College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Jewell 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 William Jewell College than PLU ($19,294 vs. $22,299).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 13% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($11,320 vs. $13,008).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 153.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Jewell College (about $31,644 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.5% higher at PLU than at William Jewell College (about $31,644 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jewell College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 145.1% larger than aid received by William Jewell College students ($40,573 vs. $16,552).

William Jewell College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William Jewell 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 William Jewell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Jewell College (1180) is 30 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming PLU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Jewell College 1080/1270; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Jewell College 18/24; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Jewell College - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at William Jewell College (3.61).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33% at William Jewell College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

William Jewell College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William Jewell 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).

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than William Jewell College's (63%).
• Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than William Jewell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,300 vs. $48,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, William Jewell College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.