Pacific vs. PLU

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

Pacific University
Pacific Lutheran University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: PLU (78% admitted vs 89.6%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: PLU. Average net price is $22,299 vs $35,235 at Pacific.
  • Graduation: Pacific 61% vs PLU 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Pacific $46,800 vs PLU $52,300 (median).
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Key differences

Pacific University Pacific Lutheran University
Acceptance rate
PLU more selective
Pacific89.6%
PLU78%
SAT range (middle 50%)
PLU higher
Pacific900-1240
PLU1040-1260
Average net price
PLU $12,936 less
Pacific$35,235
PLU$22,299
In-state tuition
PLU $4,120 less
Pacific$56,374
PLU$52,254
Out-of-state tuition
PLU $4,120 less
Pacific$56,374
PLU$52,254
Graduation rate
PLU +5 pts
Pacific61%
PLU66%
Median earnings (10 years)
PLU +$5,500
Pacific$46,800
PLU$52,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Pacific 2,988
  • PLU 4,992
  • Admitted
  • Pacific 2,676
  • PLU 3,895
  • Acceptance rate
  • Pacific 89.6%
  • PLU 78%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Pacific 13.1%
  • PLU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pacific 1070
  • PLU 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pacific 23
  • PLU 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Pacific 3.73
  • PLU 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Pacific A-
  • PLU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Pacific Average
  • PLU Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Pacific
  • PLU
  • SAT range
  • Pacific 900-1240
  • PLU 1040-1260
  • ACT range
  • Pacific 18-29
  • PLU 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Pacific Test optional
  • PLU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Pacific Aug 25, 2027
  • PLU Aug 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Pacific $56,374
  • PLU $52,254
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Pacific $56,374
  • PLU $52,254
  • Room & board
  • Pacific $15,620
  • PLU $13,008
  • Average net price
  • Pacific $35,235
  • PLU $22,299
  • Average grant aid
  • Pacific $37,139
  • PLU $40,573
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Pacific 98%
  • PLU 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Pacific 61%
  • PLU 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Pacific $46,800
  • PLU $52,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Pacific 78%
  • PLU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Pacific $26,156
  • PLU $25,800
  • Median loan payment
  • Pacific $270
  • PLU $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Pacific 10:1
  • PLU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Pacific
    • Biology (13%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • PLU
    • Business (14%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Education (6%)
  • Location
  • Pacific Forest Grove, OR
  • PLU Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Pacific Large Suburban
  • PLU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Pacific 3,427
  • PLU 2,797
  • Type
  • Pacific Private 4 Year
  • PLU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Pacific #427
  • PLU #395

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Pacific University is larger than PLU based on total student enrollment (3,427 students vs. 2,797 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 16.7% lower than at Pacific University ($13,008 vs. $15,620).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Pacific than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $4,120 more per year; $56,374 vs. $52,254).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University as at Pacific Lutheran University (98% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Pacific University students ($40,573 vs. $37,139).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at PLU than at Pacific (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Pacific and PLU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Pacific average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at PLU (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at Pacific vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Lutheran University graduates have a $356 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,800 vs. $26,156).
  • Among borrowers, PLU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($266 vs. $270).
  • More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation (78% 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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