Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University Overview

Pacific Lutheran University is a private, religious school in a suburban setting in Tacoma, Washington. Pacific Lutheran University was founded in 1890 and the school now enrolls around 2,736 students a year, which includes 2,373 undergrad students. Pacific Lutheran University provides on-campus housing for up to 1,369 students. Most students live in off campus housing, and 75% of students spend their weekends on campus.

📆 Mark your calendar! The final application deadline for Fall 2023 is August 15.

Student Activities at Pacific Lutheran University

Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of Pacific Lutheran University's theater groups.

Are you interested in journalism and communications? Pacific Lutheran University students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.

Pacific Lutheran University does not have any fraternities or sororities, do it might be a good option if Greek life isn't a priority for you.

Planning to play sports? Pacific Lutheran University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Pacific Lutheran University on the Student Life page.

2022 Pacific Lutheran University Facts At-A-Glance
Academic Calendar	4-1-4 (2 long terms separated by a month-long mini-term)
Overall Acceptance Rate	88%
Early Decision Acceptance Rate	ED not offered
Early Action Acceptance Rate	EA not offered
Average GPA	3.7
Applicants Submitting SAT scores	11%
Tuition	$49,472
Percent of Need Met	85.2%
Average First-Year Financial Aid Package	$37,376

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Is Pacific Lutheran University a Good School?

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There is no one way to define a "good" college or university. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is.

Let's take a look at these areas to get a clearer idea of what Pacific Lutheran University offers and if the college seems like a good fit for you.

2022 Acceptance Rate for Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University is moderately difficult to get into. Around 88% of applicants get into Pacific Lutheran University each year. Out of 3,220 applications received in 2022, 2,846 students were offered admission.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Pacific Lutheran University

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. It gauges how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Approximately 78% of students who start at Pacific Lutheran University come back the next year. Around 69% of students who started at Pacific Lutheran University earn their Bachelor's degrees within six years. Compare this to the average six-year graduation rate for colleges and universities in the U.S., which is around 61% for public schools and 67% for private.

Job Outlook Pacific Lutheran University Graduates

Job placement stats are a good resource for understanding the value of a degree from Pacific Lutheran University by providing a look on how job placement has gone for other grads.

Check with Pacific Lutheran University directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Pacific Lutheran University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and support students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Pacific Lutheran University's endowment was $130.1 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. For each full-time student, Pacific Lutheran University spends about $8,942 a year.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Pacific Lutheran University

Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

Pacific Lutheran University meets 85.2% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Pacific Lutheran University full-time are awarded $37,376 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $22,953 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA early. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Pacific Lutheran University.

Based on this information, is Pacific Lutheran University the school for you? Remember, a school that is perfect for one person may be a terrible fit for another! So ask yourself: Is Pacific Lutheran University a good school for you?

If Pacific Lutheran University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

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Still Looking for Schools?

To learn more about Pacific Lutheran University, choose from the options below:

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Where is Pacific Lutheran University Located?

Pacific Lutheran University is located in the suburban setting of Tacoma, Washington, less than an hour from Seattle.

If you want to see Pacific Lutheran University for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 5 to Tacoma, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Seattle-Tacoma International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Pacific Lutheran University and Tacoma are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges and Universities in Washington?

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