Bellarmine University vs. PLU

Should I go to Bellarmine University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bellarmine University 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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Bellarmine University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Bellarmine University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Bellarmine University Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Bellarmine University PLU
Location Louisville, KY Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,993 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #426 #429
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bellarmine.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Bellarmine University PLU
Tuition (In State) $45,190 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $45,190 $49,472
Room & Board $10,250 $12,446
Avg Net Price $24,432 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $35,954 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Bellarmine University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,462 4,139
Admitted 3,240 3,333
Acceptance Rate 93.6% 80.5%
Enrolled % 19.5% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28 21/27
SAT Range 1075/1243 988/1258
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 Feb 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Bellarmine University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Bellarmine University PLU
Graduation Rate 66% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,300 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $258 $266

Diversity

Bellarmine University PLU
% Men 8% 4%
% Women 13% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 85% 68%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Bellarmine University PLU
% In-State 73% 80%
% Out-of-State 26% 12%

Campus

Bellarmine University 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

  • Bellarmine University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,993 students vs. 2,737 students)

Bellarmine University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bellarmine University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 9.5% more expensive to attend than Bellarmine University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $45,190.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at PLU than Bellarmine University ($49,472.00 vs. $45,190.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Bellarmine University ($23,841 vs. $24,432)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 21.4% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,250 vs. $12,446)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bellarmine University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 9.8% larger than aid received Bellarmine University ($39,464 vs. $35,954)

Bellarmine University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Bellarmine University (1120) is 3 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Bellarmine University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42)
  • Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (93.6%) than PLU (80.5%)

Bellarmine University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bellarmine University 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 Bellarmine University.

  • The graduation rate at Bellarmine University is the same as at Pacific Lutheran University (66% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Bellarmine University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $50,300)
  • Bellarmine University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,800)
  • Bellarmine University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bellarmine University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

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