Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Tacoma, Washington |
| Online | plu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Pacific Lutheran University occupies a 156-acre woodland campus in Parkland, a suburban community approximately seven miles south of downtown Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1890 by Norwegian Lutheran pioneers, PLU maintains its affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America while operating as a private liberal arts institution. The university combines traditional brick architecture with Pacific Northwest environmental elements, featuring buildings arranged around a central campus core that includes a notable outdoor amphitheater. PLU is recognized for its programs in nursing, business, education, and music, with the School of Nursing being one of the region's earliest nursing education programs. Residential students are housed in traditional residence halls and suite-style apartments, while the university competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Lutes, primarily in the Northwest Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
PLU is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Pacific Lutheran University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#311 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#227 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in Washington
#7 in Best Private Colleges in Washington
#186 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Washington
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1253/1423 |
| ACT | 27/30 |
| GPA | 3.71 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $702 |
| Other Fees | $1,456 |
| Room and Board | $11,826 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,448 |
| Total One Year Cost | $65,904 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 14% |
| Social Sciences | 12% |
| Health Professions | 8% |
| Communication | 7% |
| Education | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering PLU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236230 IPEDS survey data for Pacific Lutheran University.
Current students may use the Pacific Lutheran University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024