Gonzaga vs. PLU

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

Gonzaga PLU
Location Spokane, WA Tacoma, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 7,253 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #157 #311
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gonzaga.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Gonzaga PLU
Tuition (In State) $49,800 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $49,800 $49,472
Room & Board $13,794 $11,826
Avg Net Price $38,727 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $27,601 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Gonzaga PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,887 3,334
Admitted 6,895 2,964
Acceptance Rate 69.7% 88.9%
Enrolled % 17.7% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.67 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/31 27/30
SAT Range 1210/1410 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 Feb 1, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Gonzaga PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Gonzaga PLU
Graduation Rate 83% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $61,600 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 86% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,394 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $272 $266

Diversity

Gonzaga PLU
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 68%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Gonzaga PLU
% In-State 47% 74%
% Out-of-State 51% 22%

Campus

Gonzaga 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

  • Gonzaga University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (7,253 students vs. 2,633 students)

Gonzaga vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gonzaga or PLU?

  • Gonzaga University is 0.7% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($49,800.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.7% higher at Gonzaga than Pacific Lutheran University ($49,800.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Gonzaga ($24,825 vs. $38,727)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 16.6% lower than costs at Gonzaga University ($11,826 vs. $13,794)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gonzaga University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 32% larger than aid received Gonzaga University ($36,435 vs. $27,601)

Gonzaga vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Gonzaga University (1205) is 88 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Gonzaga students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Gonzaga (3.67)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Gonzaga (69.7%)

Gonzaga vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Gonzaga 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 Gonzaga.

  • The graduation rate at Gonzaga is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (83% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Gonzaga University earn on average $9,300 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($61,600 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $594 lower median federal student loan debt than Gonzaga graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,394)
  • PLU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than Gonzaga graduates. ($266 vs. $272)
  • More Gonzaga graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 74%)

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