Augustana vs. PLU

Augustana College and Pacific Lutheran University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Augustana College
Pacific Lutheran University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Augustana (62.7% admitted vs 78%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: PLU. Average net price is $22,299 vs $24,714 at Augustana.
  • Graduation: Augustana 76% vs PLU 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Augustana $55,100 vs PLU $52,300 (median).
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Key differences

Augustana College Pacific Lutheran University
Acceptance rate
Augustana more selective
Augustana62.7%
PLU78%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Augustana higher
Augustana1030-1270
PLU1040-1260
Average net price
PLU $2,415 less
Augustana$24,714
PLU$22,299
In-state tuition
Augustana $656 less
Augustana$51,598
PLU$52,254
Out-of-state tuition
Augustana $656 less
Augustana$51,598
PLU$52,254
Graduation rate
Augustana +10 pts
Augustana76%
PLU66%
Median earnings (10 years)
Augustana +$2,800
Augustana$55,100
PLU$52,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Augustana 7,857
  • PLU 4,992
  • Admitted
  • Augustana 4,925
  • PLU 3,895
  • Acceptance rate
  • Augustana 62.7%
  • PLU 78%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Augustana 13.5%
  • PLU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Augustana 1150
  • PLU 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Augustana 25
  • PLU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Augustana 3.3
  • PLU 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Augustana B+
  • PLU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Augustana Challenging
  • PLU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Augustana Low
  • PLU
  • SAT range
  • Augustana 1030-1270
  • PLU 1040-1260
  • ACT range
  • Augustana 21-29
  • PLU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Augustana Test optional
  • PLU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Augustana Aug 1, 2027
  • PLU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Augustana $51,598
  • PLU $52,254
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Augustana $51,598
  • PLU $52,254
  • Room & board
  • Augustana $12,502
  • PLU $13,008
  • Average net price
  • Augustana $24,714
  • PLU $22,299
  • Average grant aid
  • Augustana $39,242
  • PLU $40,573
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Augustana 100%
  • PLU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Augustana 76%
  • PLU 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Augustana $55,100
  • PLU $52,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Augustana 81%
  • PLU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Augustana $27,000
  • PLU $25,800
  • Median loan payment
  • Augustana $279
  • PLU $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Augustana 12:1
  • PLU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Augustana
    • Business (19%)
    • Biology (19%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • PLU
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Augustana Rock Island, IL
  • PLU Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Augustana Small City
  • PLU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Augustana 2,570
  • PLU 2,797
  • Type
  • Augustana Private 4 Year
  • PLU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Augustana #311
  • PLU #395

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 2,570 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana College are 3.9% lower than at Pacific Lutheran University ($12,502 vs. $13,008).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at PLU than at Augustana College (about $656 more per year; $52,254 vs. $51,598).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Augustana College students ($40,573 vs. $39,242).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Augustana students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at PLU (25).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Augustana and PLU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at PLU average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Augustana (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $1,200 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,800 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($266 vs. $279).
  • More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation (81% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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