PLU vs. Whitworth University

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

PLU Whitworth University
Location Tacoma, WA Spokane, WA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,633 2,415
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311 #304
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website plu.edu whitworth.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLU Whitworth University
Tuition (In State) $49,472 $47,700
Tuition (Out of State) $49,472 $47,700
Room & Board $11,826 $13,100
Avg Net Price $24,825 $28,299
Avg Grant Aid $36,435 $35,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

PLU Whitworth University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,334 4,126
Admitted 2,964 3,735
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 90.5%
Enrolled % 17.7% 12.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.71 3.72
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30 19/27
SAT Range 1253/1423 1110/1350
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 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

PLU Whitworth University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

PLU Whitworth University
Graduation Rate 66% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,300 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,800 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $266 $268

Diversity

PLU Whitworth University
% Men 36% 41%
% Women 64% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 75%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 6%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

PLU Whitworth University
% In-State 74% 70%
% Out-of-State 22% 25%

Campus

PLU Whitworth University
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

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Whitworth University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 2,415 students)

PLU vs. Whitworth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLU or Whitworth University?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 3.7% more expensive to attend than Whitworth University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $47,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.7% higher at PLU than Whitworth University ($49,472.00 vs. $47,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Whitworth University ($24,825 vs. $28,299)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 10.8% lower than costs at Whitworth University ($11,826 vs. $13,100)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University as Whitworth University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 3.1% larger than aid received Whitworth University ($36,435 vs. $35,336)

PLU vs. Whitworth University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Whitworth University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • Whitworth University has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than PLU (88.9%)

PLU vs. Whitworth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLU or Whitworth University? 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 Whitworth University and PLU.

  • The graduation rate at Whitworth University is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (80% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Whitworth University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $46,200)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Whitworth University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Whitworth University graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whitworth University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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