What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?

Pacific Lutheran University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Tacoma, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Pacific Lutheran University?

Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University typically score 1040–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost?

At Pacific Lutheran University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,589 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Pacific Lutheran University?

Pacific Lutheran University enrolls approximately 2,401 undergraduate students.

Where is Pacific Lutheran University located?

Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA.

Pacific Lutheran University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

← All schools

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WAprivate nonprofitwww.plu.edu/

Acceptance

78%

SAT 25–75

1040–1260

Avg net price

$19,589

Earnings (10 yr)

$66,990

Graduation rate

69%

Admit rate has ranged 81%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a small, private Lutheran university in Tacoma, Washington, known for its tight-knit community, strong liberal arts foundation, and emphasis on service and global engagement. With an acceptance rate hovering around 78%, PLU attracts students who thrive in a supportive, hands-on learning environment where the average class size is intimate and faculty mentorship is a given. The university stands out for its distinctive programs in health sciences, business, and education, alongside a deeply ingrained Scandinavian heritage that flavors campus traditions.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 2,401
In-state tuition: $52,254
Out-of-state tuition: $52,254
Location: Tacoma, WA
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Notable Programs: Communication Disorders, Nursing, Business, Education
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate: 64%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $66,990
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.4×
Median debt at graduation: $22,578
Graduation rate: 69%
First-year retention: 82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 75%
Pell (lower-income) share: 52%
First-generation share: 30%
Endowment / student: $54,913

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Computer and Information Sciences, General$69,338
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$68,875
Business Administration, Management and Operations$46,556
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$45,082
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$44,551

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 7
Per 1,000 students: 2.92

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 113
Summer high: 76°F
Winter low: 34°F
Annual rain: 50.2"
Annual snow: 15.3"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively High

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 106
Scholarly works: 2,544

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 0.9%
Bottom → top quintile: 29%
From bottom quintile: 3%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?: Pacific Lutheran University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Tacoma, WA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Pacific Lutheran University?: Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University typically score 1040–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost?: At Pacific Lutheran University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,589 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Pacific Lutheran University?: Pacific Lutheran University enrolls approximately 2,401 undergraduate students.
Where is Pacific Lutheran University located?: Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA.

Admissions

PLU's admissions process is moderately selective, with an of 78% (fall 2020 data). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1040–1260 on the SAT or 21–27 on the ACT, though PLU is test-optional. The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.7 (weighted). Transfer students make up 15% of the incoming class. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of August 1.

plu.edu niche.com bigfuture.collegeboard.org acceptancerate.com

Academics

PLU offers 40+ undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, including a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education (M.Ed.). Popular majors include Communication Sciences and Disorders, Business Administration, and . The student-faculty ratio is , ensuring close mentorship. Unique interdisciplinary programs like and highlight PLU’s strength in blending liberal arts with STEM. The university emphasizes experiential learning, with —a testament to student satisfaction.