Lancaster Bible College vs. PLU

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

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Location Lancaster, PA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,455 2,737
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #808 #429
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lbc.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Tuition (In State) $29,990 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $29,990 $49,472
Room & Board $11,640 $12,446
Avg Net Price $22,872 $23,841
Avg Grant Aid $17,839 $39,464
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 395 4,139
Admitted 376 3,333
Acceptance Rate 95.2% 80.5%
Enrolled % 47.6% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/23 21/27
SAT Range 1080/1270 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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (93%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Graduation Rate 49% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,900 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,666 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $172 $266

Diversity

Lancaster Bible College PLU
% Men 16% 4%
% Women 12% 9%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 48% 68%
% Black 26% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 20% 1%

Students

Lancaster Bible College PLU
% In-State 68% 80%
% Out-of-State 32% 12%

Campus

Lancaster Bible College PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Lancaster Bible College based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 2,455 students)

Lancaster Bible College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lancaster Bible College or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 65% more expensive to attend than Lancaster Bible College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $29,990.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65% higher at PLU than Lancaster Bible College ($49,472.00 vs. $29,990.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lancaster Bible College than PLU ($22,872 vs. $23,841)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lancaster Bible College are 6.9% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($11,640 vs. $12,446)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Lancaster Bible College as Pacific Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 121.2% larger than aid received Lancaster Bible College ($39,464 vs. $17,839)

Lancaster Bible College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 114 points higher than at Lancaster Bible College (1003)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Lancaster Bible College (21)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Lancaster Bible College (3.31)
  • Lancaster Bible College has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than PLU (80.5%)

Lancaster Bible College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lancaster Bible College 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 Lancaster Bible College.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Lancaster Bible College (66% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $17,400 more per year than Lancaster Bible College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $34,900)
  • Lancaster Bible College students graduate with a $9,134 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($16,666 vs. $25,800)
  • Lancaster Bible College graduates are paying $94 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($172 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lancaster Bible College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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