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#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

PLU Admission Requirements

Tacoma, Washington

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Pacific Lutheran University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

88.9%
Admission Difficulty for Pacific Lutheran University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at PLU is 88.9%.  Its admission rate is the 15th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into PLU and can you get accepted?

Pacific Lutheran University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,964 out of the 3,334 who applied were admitted.

Pacific Lutheran University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.71. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into PLU?

89% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Pacific Lutheran University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.71 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1340 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT

PLU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.71

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Pacific Lutheran University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into PLU are to have around a 3.71 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.71 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as PLU accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at PLU is 3.71 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since PLU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Pacific Lutheran University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 26.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 29.4% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.3% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.2% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 5.7% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.4% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

PLU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Pacific Lutheran University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 4% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1253-1423

Applicants Submitting SAT 

4%
SAT Scores for Pacific Lutheran University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 613
Composite 25th Percentile 1253
SAT Scores for Pacific Lutheran University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 718
Math 75th Percentile 705
Composite 75th Percentile 1423
Average SAT Score 1340

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Pacific Lutheran University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at PLU is 1340 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1253-1423. Students who get into Pacific Lutheran University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  PLU ranks #2 in the state of Washington and #144 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1340 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. PLU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1253 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1253, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1170, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Pacific Lutheran University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1338, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1423 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

Pacific Lutheran University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1423 and Above Good >94%
1338 to 1423 Avg + 89%-94%
1253 to 1338 Avg - 81%-89%
1168 to 1253 Reach 69%-81%
Less than 1168 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

PLU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

27-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Pacific Lutheran University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 27
ACT Scores for Pacific Lutheran University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into PLU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to PLU is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 27 and 30.  The school ranks #5 in Washington and #242 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 27 and score in the score in the top 15 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Pacific Lutheran University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Pacific Lutheran University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into PLU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 30 ACT score.

Pacific Lutheran University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >95%
28 to 30 Avg + 89%-95%
27 to 28 Avg - 84%-89%
26 to 27 Reach 77%-84%
Less than 26 Low <77%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Pacific Lutheran University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,818 1,396 3,334
Accepted 1,642 1,211 2,964
Acceptance Rate 90% 87% 89%
Enrolled 289 207 526
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 17% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

307

Applicants have 307 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Pacific Lutheran University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Pacific Lutheran University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Pacific Lutheran University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Pacific Lutheran University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Pacific Lutheran University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.71 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1340 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Pacific Lutheran University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236230 IPEDS survey data for Pacific Lutheran University.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Pacific Lutheran University prefer SAT or ACT?

4% of students submit their SAT scores to PLU. 1% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Pacific Lutheran University?

89% of those who apply are granted admission to PLU. Admission competition is and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Pacific Lutheran University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1253 and 1423. The average SAT score is 1338. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Pacific Lutheran University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 27 and 30. The average ACT score is 28. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.