Aquinas College vs. PLU

Should I go to Aquinas College or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Aquinas College or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Aquinas College vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Aquinas College Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Aquinas College Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Aquinas College PLU
Location Nashville, TN Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 342 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aquinascollege.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Aquinas College PLU
Tuition (In State) $21,350 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $21,350 $49,472
Room & Board $8,850 $11,826
Avg Net Price $20,892 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $12,820 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Aquinas College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 245 3,334
Admitted 99 2,964
Acceptance Rate 40.4% 88.9%
Enrolled % 33.3% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.55 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 27/30
SAT Range 1100/1370 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Required Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Aquinas College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 0:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (67%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (2%)
  • English and Literature (1%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Aquinas College PLU
Graduation Rate 38% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $211 $266

Diversity

Aquinas College PLU
% Men 0% 36%
% Women 0% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 69% 68%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 2% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 9% 1%

Students

Aquinas College PLU
% In-State - 74%
% Out-of-State - 22%

Campus

Aquinas 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 Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 342 students)

Aquinas College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aquinas College or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 131.7% more expensive to attend than Aquinas College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $21,350.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 131.7% higher at PLU than Aquinas College ($49,472.00 vs. $21,350.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Aquinas College than PLU ($20,892 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 33.6% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($8,850 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Aquinas College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 184.2% larger than aid received Aquinas College ($36,435 vs. $12,820)

Aquinas College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Aquinas College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Aquinas College .

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 2 points higher than at Aquinas College (1115)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Aquinas College (24)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Aquinas College (3.55)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Aquinas College (40.4%)

Aquinas College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Aquinas 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 Aquinas College.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Aquinas College (66% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $3,700 more per year than Aquinas College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $48,600)
  • Aquinas College students graduate with a $5,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $25,800)
  • Aquinas College graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($211 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aquinas College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/