Idaho vs. PLU

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

Idaho PLU
Location Moscow, ID Tacoma, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 11,507 2,633
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #585 #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uidaho.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Idaho PLU
Tuition (In State) $6,182 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $25,418 $49,472
Room & Board $9,898 $11,826
Avg Net Price $14,954 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $11,105 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Idaho PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,393 3,334
Admitted 9,891 2,964
Acceptance Rate 73.9% 88.9%
Enrolled % 19.7% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 27/30
SAT Range 990/1250 1253/1423
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

Academics

Idaho PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Idaho PLU
Graduation Rate 51% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,900 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,279 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $251 $266

Diversity

Idaho PLU
% Men 49% 36%
% Women 51% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 1% 3%
% Hispanic 10% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Idaho PLU
% In-State 57% 74%
% Out-of-State 32% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Idaho is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (11,507 students vs. 2,633 students)

Idaho vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 700.3% more expensive to attend than Idaho for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $6,182.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.6% higher at PLU than University of Idaho ($49,472.00 vs. $25,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Idaho than PLU ($14,954 vs. $24,825)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 19.5% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($9,898 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Idaho than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 228.1% larger than aid received University of Idaho ($36,435 vs. $11,105)

Idaho vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pacific Lutheran University (1117) is 56 points higher than at Idaho (1061)
  • Incoming PLU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Idaho (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Idaho (3.47)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Idaho (73.9%)

Idaho vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLU is higher than University of Idaho (66% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $5,400 more per year than Idaho graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $46,900)
  • University of Idaho students graduate with a $1,521 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($24,279 vs. $25,800)
  • Idaho graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($251 vs. $266)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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