Claflin University vs. PLU

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

Claflin University PLU
Location Orangeburg, SC Tacoma, WA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,830 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1000 #311
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website claflin.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Claflin University PLU
Tuition (In State) $16,476 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $16,476 $49,472
Room & Board $9,480 $11,826
Avg Net Price $19,951 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $13,707 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

Claflin University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,568 3,334
Admitted 5,903 2,964
Acceptance Rate 78% 88.9%
Enrolled % 6.5% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.71
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/18 27/30
SAT Range 840/1040 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Claflin University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (19%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Claflin University PLU
Graduation Rate 40% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $30,700 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $32,184 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $332 $266

Diversity

Claflin University PLU
% Men 31% 36%
% Women 69% 64%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 68%
% Black 92% 3%
% Hispanic 2% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 7%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Claflin University PLU
% In-State 82% 74%
% Out-of-State 15% 22%

Campus

Claflin University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
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Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Claflin University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,830 students)

Claflin University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claflin University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 200.3% more expensive to attend than Claflin University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $16,476.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 200.3% higher at PLU than Claflin University ($49,472.00 vs. $16,476.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Claflin University than PLU ($19,951 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claflin University are 24.7% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($9,480 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Claflin University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 165.8% larger than aid received Claflin University ($36,435 vs. $13,707)

Claflin University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 302 points higher than at Claflin University (815)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Claflin University (17)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Claflin University (3.28)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Claflin University (78%)

Claflin University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Claflin 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 Claflin University.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Claflin University (66% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $21,600 more per year than Claflin University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $30,700)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $6,384 lower median federal student loan debt than Claflin University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $32,184)
  • PLU graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than Claflin University graduates. ($266 vs. $332)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Claflin University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 25%)

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