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RPI SPU Clark University Holy Cross RIT UW-Seattle Stevens Northeastern Seattle U Whitworth University Worcester State University UMass| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
WPI | PLU | ||
| Location | Worcester, MA | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 7,308 | 2,633 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #311 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | wpi.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
WPI | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $56,000 | $49,472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $56,000 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,544 | $11,826 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $46,876 | $24,825 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $27,059 | $36,435 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 96% | 99% |
Admission |
WPI | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 11,599 | 3,334 | ||
| Admitted | 6,667 | 2,964 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.5% | 88.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 20.3% | 17.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.9 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Unavailable | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 27/30 | |||
| SAT Range | 1253/1423 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Feb 15, 2024 | Aug 15, 2024 |
Academics |
WPI | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
WPI | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 76% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $82,700 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 92% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
WPI | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 64% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 36% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 7% | ||
| % International | 12% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 6% | 1% |
Students |
WPI | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 45% | 74% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 47% | 22% | ||
Campus |
WPI | PLU | ||
| 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
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (7,308 students vs. 2,633 students)
WPI vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, WPI or PLU?
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 13.2% more expensive to attend than PLU for in-state tuition ($56,000.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- Out of state tuition is 13.2% higher at WPI than Pacific Lutheran University ($56,000.00 vs. $49,472.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than WPI ($24,825 vs. $46,876)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 39.9% lower than costs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($11,826 vs. $16,544)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University than Worcester Polytechnic Institute (99% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 34.7% larger than aid received Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($36,435 vs. $27,059)
WPI vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, WPI or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or WPI .
- Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at PLU (3.71)
- PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than WPI (57.5%)
WPI vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, WPI 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 WPI.
- The graduation rate at WPI is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (76% vs. 66%)
- Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn on average $30,400 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($82,700 vs. $52,300)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than WPI graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than WPI graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 74%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/