Central Washington University vs. PLU

Central Washington University and Pacific Lutheran University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central Washington University
Pacific Lutheran University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: PLU (78% admitted vs 90.6%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1040.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central Washington University. Average net price is $19,898 vs $22,299 at PLU.
  • Graduation: Central Washington University 56% vs PLU 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs PLU $52,300 (median).
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Key differences

Central Washington University Pacific Lutheran University
Acceptance rate
PLU more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
PLU78%
SAT range (middle 50%)
PLU higher
Central Washington University930-1150
PLU1040-1260
Average net price
Central Washington University $2,401 less
Central Washington University$19,898
PLU$22,299
In-state tuition
Central Washington University $42,837 less
Central Washington University$9,417
PLU$52,254
Out-of-state tuition
Central Washington University $24,728 less
Central Washington University$27,526
PLU$52,254
Graduation rate
PLU +10 pts
Central Washington University56%
PLU66%
Median earnings (10 years)
PLU +$4,500
Central Washington University$47,800
PLU$52,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • PLU 4,992
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • PLU 3,895
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • PLU 78%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • PLU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • PLU 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • PLU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • PLU 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • PLU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • PLU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • PLU
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • PLU 1040-1260
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • PLU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • PLU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • PLU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • PLU $52,254
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • PLU $52,254
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • PLU $13,008
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • PLU $22,299
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • PLU $40,573
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • PLU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • PLU 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • PLU $52,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • PLU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • PLU $25,800
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • PLU $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • PLU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • PLU
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • PLU Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • PLU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • PLU 2,797
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • PLU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • PLU #395

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 2,797 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 21.1% lower than at Central Washington University ($13,008 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89.8% higher at PLU than at Central Washington University (about $24,728 more per year; $52,254 vs. $27,526).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Central Washington University (98% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 360.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($40,573 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at PLU than at Central Washington University (25 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Central Washington University, test optional at PLU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at PLU average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.63 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $5,063 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($20,737 vs. $25,800).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($214 vs. $266).
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 60%).

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

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