Pacific Lutheran University — College Profile

About

Situated in the scenic Pacific Northwest, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma is highly regarded for its premier programs in nursing, business, and the natural sciences, all grounded in a robust liberal arts foundation. The campus culture is defined by a collaborative, service-oriented community of "Lutes" who are deeply committed to social justice, environmental sustainability, and taking advantage of outdoor recreation in the Puget Sound region. What truly sets PLU apart is its legendary commitment to global education—notably being the first American university to host study away programs on all seven continents simultaneously—alongside a distinct academic mission centered on helping students discover their purposeful life's vocation.

Wikipedia:Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington, United States. It was founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants in 1890. PLU is sponsored by the 580 congregations of Region I of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It has approximately 2,700 students enrolled. As of 2023, the school employs approximately 238 full-time professors on the 156-acre (63 ha) woodland campus.

Location

Tacoma, WA, 98447-0003 · Suburb campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

SEA · Seattle

22 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

YoursEveryone

Tuition & fees$52,254

Housing & food (on campus)$13,008

Books & supplies$785

Cost of attendance$71,179

Average net price$19,589

Same price for all students

Tuition & fees$52,254

Housing & food (on campus)$13,008

Books & supplies$785

Cost of attendance$71,179

Average net price$19,589

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.plu.edu

How it’s made up · 2025-26

Pacific Lutheran University’s own figures for 2025-26, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$52,256

Books & supplies$810

Personal expenses$2,080

Transportation$748

Total published by the school$71,179

Source: www.plu.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · 2023-24

$0–30k

$13,609

$30–48k

$12,948

$48–75k

$15,756

$75–110k

$22,535

$110k+

$26,915

Your family's actual price → Pacific Lutheran University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

70%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

41%

Back for yr 2

82%

Transferred

18%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

71% graduated · 21% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$52,212

10 yrs after entry$66,990

Debt

Median at graduation$22,578

Monthly payment$239

Middle 50% owe$10k–$29.9k

90th percentile$37,314

Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (medium programs): 52% graduate within 6 yrs, $51,562 earned 10 yrs after entry.

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

78%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1168

R 540–660 · M 500–600

ACT midpoint

Comp 22–28 · E 21–26 · M 19–29

SAT middle 50%: 1040–1260

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Pacific Lutheran University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 36%Women 64%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

12 : 1

Pell grant

35%

First-gen

30%

Family income

$59,189

Independent

17%

Age at entry

21.0

Part-time

Race & ethnicity

White

45%

Hispanic

19%

Black

Asian

10%

Two or more

11%

Non-resident

AI/AN

NH/PI

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Cross Country
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Lacrosse
Women's
Rowing
Women's
Soccer
Men's · Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$52,212

After 10 yrs

$66,990

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing132

Business Administration, Management and Operations70

Biology, General43

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness41

Psychology, General41

Communication and Media Studies23

Computer Science18

Social Work18

Sociology18

Music18

International/Globalization Studies16

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft16

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods15

Criminology15

Political Science and Government15

History15

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$132M

Full-time faculty

70%

Faculty salary

$8,581/mo

Teaching spend

$12,280

per student

Federal loans

44%

Classification

Carnegie type

Master's (medium programs)

Undergraduate profile