PLU vs. Seattle U

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

PLU Seattle U
Location Tacoma, WA Seattle, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,633 7,121
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311 #136
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu seattleu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLU Seattle U
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $50,328
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $50,328
Room & Board $11,826 $13,524
Avg Net Price $24,825 $35,412
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $30,917
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

PLU Seattle U
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 7,934
Admitted 2,964 6,756
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 85.2%
Enrolled % 17.7% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.62
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 24/30
SAT Range 1253/1423 1150/1380
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, 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Academics

PLU Seattle U
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

PLU Seattle U
Graduation Rate 66% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $60,400
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $266 $253

Diversity

PLU Seattle U
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 44%
% Black 3% 3%
% Hispanic 8% 9%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 4% 11%
% Unknown Race 1% 9%

Students

PLU Seattle U
% In-State 74% 47%
% Out-of-State 22% 48%

Campus

PLU Seattle U
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

  • Seattle University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (7,121 students vs. 2,633 students)

PLU vs. Seattle U Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or Seattle U?

  • Seattle University is 1.7% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($50,328.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at Seattle U than Pacific Lutheran University ($50,328.00 vs. $49,472.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Seattle U ($24,825 vs. $35,412)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 14.4% lower than costs at Seattle University ($11,826 vs. $13,524)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Seattle University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 17.8% larger than aid received Seattle University ($36,435 vs. $30,917)

PLU vs. Seattle U Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle University (1192) is 75 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Seattle U students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Seattle U (3.62)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Seattle U (85.2%)

PLU vs. Seattle U Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLU or Seattle U? 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 Seattle U and PLU.

  • The graduation rate at Seattle U is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (71% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Seattle University earn on average $8,100 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($60,400 vs. $52,300)
  • Seattle University students graduate with a $1,300 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,800)
  • Seattle U graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($253 vs. $266)
  • More Seattle U graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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