PLU vs. UWT

Should I go to Pacific Lutheran University or University of Washington Tacoma Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLU or UWT 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
Pacific Lutheran University vs. University of Washington Tacoma Campus comparison
Pacific Lutheran University University of Washington Tacoma Campus College 3 College 4
Pacific Lutheran University University of Washington Tacoma Campus
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

PLU UWT
Location Tacoma, WA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 2,633 4,794
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #311
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu washington.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLU UWT
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $11,189
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $39,687
Room & Board $11,826 $14,220
Avg Net Price $24,825 $10,680
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $12,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 68%

Admission

PLU UWT
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 1,974
Admitted 2,964 1,744
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 88.3%
Enrolled % 17.7% 35.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.41
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 16/24
SAT Range 1253/1423 960/1180
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 Jun 30, 2024

Academics

PLU UWT
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • General Studies (48%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

PLU UWT
Graduation Rate 66% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $65,800
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $15,000
Median Loan Payment $266 $155

Diversity

PLU UWT
% Men 36% 50%
% Women 64% 50%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 43%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 8% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 2%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

PLU UWT
% In-State 74% 96%
% Out-of-State 22% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (4,794 students vs. 2,633 students)

PLU vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or UWT?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 342.1% more expensive to attend than UWT for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $11,189.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.7% higher at PLU than University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($49,472.00 vs. $39,687.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Washington Tacoma Campus than PLU ($10,680 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 20.2% lower than costs at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($11,826 vs. $14,220)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than University of Washington Tacoma Campus (99% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 181.1% larger than aid received University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($36,435 vs. $12,961)

PLU vs. UWT Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 151 points higher than at UWT (966)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at UWT (19)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at UWT (3.41)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than UWT (88.3%)

PLU vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn on average $13,500 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($65,800 vs. $52,300)
  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus students graduate with a $10,800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($15,000 vs. $25,800)
  • UWT graduates are paying $111 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($155 vs. $266)
  • More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 74%)

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