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SPU NCAT Morehouse Florida A&M UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Tuskegee University Spelman Tennessee State University Savannah State University KSU| Clark Atlanta University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CAU | PLU | ||
| Location | Atlanta, GA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 4,000 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #971 | #311 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cau.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CAU | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $21,948 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $21,948 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,982 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $30,015 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,431 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 83% | 99% |
Admission |
CAU | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 16,153 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 9,088 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 56.3% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.7% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.28 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 16/20 | 27/30 | ||
| SAT Range | 880/1120 | 1253/1423 | ||
| 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 | Apr 1, 2024 | Aug 15, 2024 |
Academics |
CAU | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CAU | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 41% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $38,400 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 30% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $31,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $320 | $266 |
Diversity |
CAU | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 24% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 76% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | Yes | No | ||
| % White | 0% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 84% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 0% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 7% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 13% | 1% |
Students |
CAU | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 27% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 72% | 22% | ||
Campus |
CAU | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Clark Atlanta University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 2,633 students)
CAU vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CAU or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 125.4% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $21,948.00)
- Out of state tuition is 125.4% higher at PLU than Clark Atlanta University ($49,472.00 vs. $21,948.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than CAU ($24,825 vs. $30,015)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 7.7% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,982 vs. $11,826)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Clark Atlanta University (99% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 286.3% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($36,435 vs. $9,431)
CAU vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CAU or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or CAU .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 267 points higher than at CAU (850)
- Incoming PLU students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at CAU (18)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at CAU (3.28)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than CAU (56.3%)
CAU vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CAU 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 CAU.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Clark Atlanta University (66% vs. 41%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $13,900 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $38,400)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $5,200 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($25,800 vs. $31,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($266 vs. $320)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 30%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/