OSU vs. PLU

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

OSU PLU
Location Corvallis, OR Tacoma, WA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 34,292 2,633
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #363 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website oregonstate.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

OSU PLU
Tuition (In State) $10,425 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $31,200 $49,472
Room & Board $14,238 $11,826
Avg Net Price $21,163 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $9,260 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 99%

Admission

OSU PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,651 3,334
Admitted 21,169 2,964
Acceptance Rate 82.5% 88.9%
Enrolled % 21.3% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 27/30
SAT Range 1120/1370 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 Feb 1, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

OSU PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

OSU PLU
Graduation Rate 61% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,900 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,500 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $242 $266

Diversity

OSU PLU
% Men 51% 36%
% Women 49% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 68%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 9% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

OSU PLU
% In-State 57% 74%
% Out-of-State 41% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Oregon State University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (34,292 students vs. 2,633 students)

OSU vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 374.6% more expensive to attend than OSU for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $10,425.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 58.6% higher at PLU than Oregon State University ($49,472.00 vs. $31,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Oregon State University than PLU ($21,163 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 20.4% lower than costs at Oregon State University ($11,826 vs. $14,238)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Oregon State University (99% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 293.5% larger than aid received Oregon State University ($36,435 vs. $9,260)

OSU vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 4 points higher than at OSU (1113)
  • Incoming OSU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at OSU (3.61)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than OSU (82.5%)

OSU vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, OSU 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 OSU.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Oregon State University (66% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Oregon State University earn on average $1,600 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($53,900 vs. $52,300)
  • Oregon State University students graduate with a $2,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $25,800)
  • OSU graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($242 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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