PLU vs. MSOE

Should I go to Pacific Lutheran University or Milwaukee School of Engineering? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLU or MSOE 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

IIT SPU Wisconsin Michigan Tech Marquette University Rose-Hulman Purdue UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University UIC Gonzaga
Pacific Lutheran University vs. Milwaukee School of Engineering comparison
Pacific Lutheran University Milwaukee School of Engineering College 3 College 4
Pacific Lutheran University Milwaukee School of Engineering
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 PLU MSOE
Location Tacoma, WA Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,633 2,729
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311 #243
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu msoe.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 PLU MSOE
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $44,601
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $44,601
Room & Board $11,826 $12,494
Avg Net Price $24,825 $25,661
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $31,850
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 PLU MSOE
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 5,478
Admitted 2,964 3,477
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 63.5%
Enrolled % 17.7% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/30 24/30
SAT Range 1253/1423 1160/1405
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, 2024 Sep 1, 2023

Academics

 PLU MSOE
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Engineering (66%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Communication (1%)

Outcomes

 PLU MSOE
Graduation Rate 66% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $68,900
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 83%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $266 $279

Diversity

 PLU MSOE
% Men 36% 71%
% Women 64% 29%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 66%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 4% 13%
% Unknown Race 1% 8%

Students

 PLU MSOE
% In-State 74% 58%
% Out-of-State 22% 38%

Campus

 PLU MSOE
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

  • Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (2,729 students vs. 2,633 students)

PLU vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or MSOE?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 10.9% more expensive to attend than MSOE for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $44,601.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.9% higher at PLU than Milwaukee School of Engineering ($49,472.00 vs. $44,601.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than MSOE ($24,825 vs. $25,661)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 5.6% lower than costs at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,826 vs. $12,494)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 14.4% larger than aid received Milwaukee School of Engineering ($36,435 vs. $31,850)

PLU vs. MSOE Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1248) is 131 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming MSOE students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at MSOE (3.65)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than MSOE (63.5%)

PLU vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLU or MSOE? 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 MSOE and PLU.

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering (66% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn on average $16,600 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($68,900 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than MSOE graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than MSOE graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)

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