PLU vs. Whitman College

Pacific Lutheran University and Whitman College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Pacific Lutheran University
Whitman College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Whitman College (38.1% admitted vs 78%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1150.
  • Cheaper after aid: PLU. Average net price is $22,299 vs $37,633 at Whitman College.
  • Graduation: PLU 66% vs Whitman College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: PLU $52,300 vs Whitman College $56,900 (median).
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Key differences

Pacific Lutheran University Whitman College
Acceptance rate
Whitman College more selective
PLU78%
Whitman College38.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Whitman College higher
PLU1040-1260
Whitman College1310-1480
Average net price
PLU $15,334 less
PLU$22,299
Whitman College$37,633
In-state tuition
PLU $11,796 less
PLU$52,254
Whitman College$64,050
Out-of-state tuition
PLU $11,796 less
PLU$52,254
Whitman College$64,050
Graduation rate
Whitman College +20 pts
PLU66%
Whitman College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Whitman College +$4,600
PLU$52,300
Whitman College$56,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • PLU 4,992
  • Whitman College 7,243
  • Admitted
  • PLU 3,895
  • Whitman College 2,763
  • Acceptance rate
  • PLU 78%
  • Whitman College 38.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • PLU 14.1%
  • Whitman College 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • PLU 1150
  • Whitman College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • PLU 25
  • Whitman College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • PLU 3.71
  • Whitman College 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • PLU A-
  • Whitman College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • PLU Average
  • Whitman College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • PLU
  • Whitman College High
  • SAT range
  • PLU 1040-1260
  • Whitman College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • PLU 22-28
  • Whitman College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • PLU Test optional
  • Whitman College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • PLU Aug 15, 2027
  • Whitman College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • PLU $52,254
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • PLU $52,254
  • Whitman College $64,050
  • Room & board
  • PLU $13,008
  • Whitman College $15,080
  • Average net price
  • PLU $22,299
  • Whitman College $37,633
  • Average grant aid
  • PLU $40,573
  • Whitman College $40,489
  • % receiving grant aid
  • PLU 98%
  • Whitman College 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • PLU 66%
  • Whitman College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • PLU $52,300
  • Whitman College $56,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • PLU 74%
  • Whitman College 93%
  • Median student loan debt
  • PLU $25,800
  • Whitman College $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • PLU $266
  • Whitman College $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • PLU 12:1
  • Whitman College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • PLU
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Whitman College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Physical Sciences (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • PLU Tacoma, WA
  • Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
  • Setting
  • PLU Large Suburban
  • Whitman College Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • PLU 2,797
  • Whitman College 1,561
  • Type
  • PLU Private 4 Year
  • Whitman College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • PLU #395
  • Whitman College #88

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA with Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Whitman College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 1,561 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting); Whitman College is in Walla Walla, WA (Remote Town setting).
  • Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Whitman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Lutheran University 12:1; Whitman College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 13.7% lower than at Whitman College ($13,008 vs. $15,080).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Whitman College than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $11,796 more per year; $64,050 vs. $52,254).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than at Whitman College (98% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Whitman College students ($40,573 vs. $40,489).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Whitman College than at PLU (31 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both PLU and Whitman College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PLU Aug 15, 2027; Whitman College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at PLU average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Whitman College (3.68).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at PLU vs. 14.1% at Whitman College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Whitman College graduates have a $8,300 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,800).
  • Among borrowers, Whitman College graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($180 vs. $266).
  • More Whitman College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation (93% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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