Willamette University vs. PLU

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

Willamette University PLU
Location Salem, OR Tacoma, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,909 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #311
Religious Affiliation - Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website willamette.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Willamette University PLU
Tuition (In State) $45,000 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $45,000 $49,472
Room & Board $14,340 $11,826
Avg Net Price $32,957 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $27,700 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Willamette University PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,994 3,334
Admitted 3,219 2,964
Acceptance Rate 80.6% 88.9%
Enrolled % 16.3% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.71
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 27/30
SAT Range 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 Jan 15, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Willamette University PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Foreign Languages (10%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Willamette University PLU
Graduation Rate 77% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $268 $266

Diversity

Willamette University PLU
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 62% 68%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 10% 7%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Willamette University PLU
% In-State 25% 74%
% Out-of-State 73% 22%

Campus

Willamette University PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Willamette University based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,909 students)

Willamette University vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Willamette University or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 9.9% more expensive to attend than Willamette University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $45,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.9% higher at PLU than Willamette University ($49,472.00 vs. $45,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Willamette University ($24,825 vs. $32,957)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 21.3% lower than costs at Willamette University ($11,826 vs. $14,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Willamette University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 31.5% larger than aid received Willamette University ($36,435 vs. $27,700)

Willamette University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Willamette University (1228) is 111 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Willamette University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman Willamette University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at PLU (3.71)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Willamette University (80.6%)

Willamette University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Willamette University 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 Willamette University.

  • The graduation rate at Willamette University is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (77% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Willamette University earn on average $2,000 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $52,300)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $200 lower median federal student loan debt than Willamette University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $26,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Willamette University graduates. ($266 vs. $268)
  • More Willamette University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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