Wabash College vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN with Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wabash College is located in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wabash College 9:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

Wabash College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wabash College or PLU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Wabash College ($22,299 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 9.7% lower than at Wabash College ($13,008 vs. $14,400).
• Pacific Lutheran University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wabash College (about $1,454 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $50,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at PLU than at Wabash College (about $1,454 more per year; $52,254.00 vs. $50,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Wabash College students ($40,573 vs. $39,605).

Wabash College vs. PLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wabash College or PLU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PLU and Wabash College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wabash College (1170) is 20 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming Wabash College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at PLU (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 1060/1270; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 23/28; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wabash College - Test optional; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Wabash College (3.6).
• PLU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Wabash College vs. 14.1% at PLU.

Wabash College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wabash College and PLU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Pacific Lutheran University's (66%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wabash College graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Wabash College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.