About Pacific Lutheran University

Founded in 1890, Pacific Lutheran University. is a Private college. Located in Washington, which is a city setting in Washington, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,781 full time undergraduate students, and 289 full time graduate students.

The Pacific Lutheran University Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 229 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Pacific Lutheran University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate76%
Application Deadline
Application Fee0
SAT Range980-1230
ACT Range22-28

Admissions at PLU are considered Less Selective, with ,43% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 18 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

86% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 67% were in the top quarter, and 37% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Pacific Lutheran University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
3%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
39%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
26%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
31%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
19%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
47%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
25%
“They keep regular office hours”
72%
“They”re always available”
94%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
53%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
17%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
3%
“We know about current events and vote”
58%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
39%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
60%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
26%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
11%
“I only go out in groups”
39%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
31%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
19%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
47%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
25%
“They keep regular office hours”
72%
“They”re always available”
94%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
6%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
53%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
17%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
22%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    108 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    86 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    113 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    117 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    117 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 68 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    116 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    117 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    117 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.

Pacific Lutheran University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Pacific Lutheran University?

44 Students rated Pacific Lutheran University

McKensi - 08/15/2021

Overall, I enjoyed my experience. I loved the small class sizes and the ability to have access faculty easily. But I do wish I would've gotten more out my education in terms of practical experience. The pandemic created difficulty for many especially in terms of gaining practical experience, however I believe there could've been better efforts made to improve this.

Xavier - 06/09/2020

It is an amazing school with just the right amount of students. The class sizes are small enough to allow for 1:1 learning with the professors. The professors are almost always available to help and are always willing to help students. There is also a great tutoring program.

Kristen - 05/17/2020

I am at Pacific Lutheran University for my second degree- Graduate Nursing. I went to a small liberal art college in the midwest for my undergraduate, so I am used to the expensive tuition and intimate class settings. However, I honestly feel like I am paying too much for the quality of campus life and education there.

Joy - 03/25/2020

The campus is beautiful! I took the tour as was exploring colleges to go to. The tour guide was exceptional! She was outgoing, informative, and easy to talk to. More importantly she was excited about the school. As I went back for a second visit, the tour guide I had was the same! Super excited about the school and personable. Every person I met on the campus was relational. That is the reason I chose this college. Above any other college I visited, PLU was the one that I felt most at home with, I fell in love with the community and culture and that's why it was it was so easy to choose this school.

Pacific Lutheran University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Pacific Lutheran University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Pacific Lutheran University is 76%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    College is a wonderful experience. It is challenging academically, but do not be ashamed if you need help because there are countless resources and people that are more than willing to help. Also, if you know you need help, admit it and seek help instead of waiting for the last minute. Study hard, but remember to have fun because there are so many amazing people that you could meet.

    Read all 112 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about this school is that it is so expensive. It costs $14,000 a semester, and it is very difficult to find the money for it. It is a very prestigous school with a great education, but the expense is so high that I worry that I won't be able to find a way to pay for it.

    Read all 33 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    A university that is acedemically challenging, accepts diversity, and genuinely wants its students to succeed.

    Read all 21 answers

  5. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates, the ones I spend time with, are dedicated, easy going, friendly, approachable, fun and hard working.

    Read all 21 answers

  6. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who doesn't like a small campus.

    Read all 20 answers

  7. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The small class sizes, amazing arts facilities and programs, the positive atmosphere, and our nationally and globally acclaimed study away programs and international focus.

    Read all 20 answers

  8. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Career wise, PLU is very well known for nursing. Also, I think that the school is very well known for not having a typical college campus. When you look at the apperance of the school it does not look like your typical college campus, but instead it does have a very cozy and homey atmosphere to it.

    Read all 16 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    The faculty in general is very good and they teach many excellent classes.

    Read all 16 answers

  10. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Start looking into study away programs right away so you can get the most out of your four years of college.

    Read all 16 answers

  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is drivin, friendly, open and loves to learn

    Read all 15 answers

  12. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    PLU has less people and the classes are smaller than classes at other schools. Also, insead ofbeing a number, you are your own person, which is different than schools with high class numbers.

    Read all 11 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The cost, it's insanely expensive.

    Read all 10 answers

  14. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There is a large Norwegian foundation, causing many groups of exchange students from Norway.

    Read all 3 answers

  15. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I enjoy the small classes, but I have not found my niche among the very elitist student body.

    Read all 3 answers

  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    The academics are rigorous.

    Read all 2 answers

  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotype is mostly a prep-school with elitist students. I have found it to be fairly accurate.

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

63%

female

37%

male

2,781

Total Undergrad Enrollment

289

Total Grad Students

32%

Out-Of-State

67%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

83

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

51%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
10%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
9%
% White or Caucasian
65%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

98% of students attending Pacific Lutheran University receive some sort of financial aid. 27% were awarded federal grants. While 52% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$39,450

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$825

Books and Supplies

$10,330

Room and Board

50,605

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$15,640
$30 - $48K
$17,960
$48 - $75K
$22,065
$75 - $110K
$27,022
$110K & UP
$29,587

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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