Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Gonzaga Saint Martin's University University of Puget Sound Franciscan Nova Pacific Whitman College Western Washington University| Pacific Lutheran University | Ave Maria University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
PLU | AMU | ||
| Location | Tacoma, WA | Ave Maria, FL | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Rural | ||
| Enrollment | 2,737 | 1,335 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #429 | #560 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Evangelical Lutheran Church | Roman Catholic | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | plu.edu | avemaria.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
PLU | AMU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $49,472 | $26,928 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $49,472 | $26,928 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,446 | $14,125 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,841 | $23,515 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $39,464 | $19,967 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
PLU | AMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,139 | 2,448 | ||
| Admitted | 3,333 | 1,097 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 80.5% | 44.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 18.7% | 29% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.71 | 3.6 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 21/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 988/1258 | 1018/1240 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
PLU | AMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
PLU | AMU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 66% | 41% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $52,300 | N/A | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,800 | $22,428 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $266 | $231 |
Diversity |
PLU | AMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Women | 9% | 2% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 61% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 15% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 0% | ||
| % International | 4% | 2% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 13% |
Students |
PLU | AMU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 80% | 32% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 66% | ||
Campus |
PLU | AMU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than AMU based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 1,335 students)
PLU vs. AMU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, PLU or AMU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 83.7% more expensive to attend than AMU for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $26,928.00)
- Out of state tuition is 83.7% higher at PLU than Ave Maria University ($49,472.00 vs. $26,928.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ave Maria University than PLU ($23,515 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 13.5% lower than costs at Ave Maria University ($12,446 vs. $14,125)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Ave Maria University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 97.6% larger than aid received Ave Maria University ($39,464 vs. $19,967)
PLU vs. AMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, PLU or AMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AMU or PLU .
- The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 19 points higher than at AMU (1098)
- Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at AMU (24)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at AMU (3.6)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (80.5%) than AMU (44.8%)
PLU vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, PLU or AMU? 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 AMU and PLU.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Ave Maria University (66% vs. 41%)
- Ave Maria University students graduate with a $3,372 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($22,428 vs. $25,800)
- AMU graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($231 vs. $266)
- More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/