Pacific Lutheran University Admissions

Pacific Lutheran University Admissions Overview:

Students interested in applying to Pacific Lutheran University will need to submit an application that includes scores from the SAT or the ACT, official high school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a 250-word personal essay. With an acceptance rate of 77 percent, the school is moderately selective. If you have any questions about applying, be sure to check out the PLU admissions website or get in contact with a member of the admissions office.

Admissions Data (2016):

• Pacific Lutheran University Acceptance Rate: 77 percent
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 490 / 610
  • SAT Math: 490 / 620
    • What these SAT numbers mean
    • Top Washington colleges SAT comparison
  • ACT Composite: 22 / 28
  • ACT English: 21 / 28
  • ACT Math: 22 / 27
    • What these ACT numbers mean
    • Top Washington colleges ACT comparison

Pacific Lutheran University Description:

Founded in 1890, Pacific Lutheran University is a private university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, although only about 30% of the student body is Lutheran. The 146-acre campus is located in Parkland, Washington, just a few miles south of Tacoma. The university offers a mix of liberal arts and professional programs, with business, nursing and communications being the most popular among undergraduates. Students can choose from 44 majors and 54 minors. Pacific Lutheran has a 15 to 1 student / faculty ratio, and all classes are taught by professors, not graduate students or teaching assistants. About 450 students study abroad every year. Student life is active with more than 100 clubs and activities including Gamer's Guild, Creative Writing Club, Black Student Union, and numerous academic honor societies and musical performance groups. In athletics, the PLU Lutes compete in the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. The university fields 19 intercollegiate teams.

Enrollment (2016):

• Total Enrollment: 3,070 (2,781 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 37 percent male / 63 percent female
• 97 percent full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

• Tuition and Fees: $39,450
• Books: $825 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $10,330
• Other Expenses: $2,703
• Total Cost: $53,308

Pacific Lutheran University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 98 percent
  • Loans: 52 percent
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $25,658
  • Loans: $7,602

Academic Programs:

• Most Popular Majors: Biology, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Economics, Elementary Education, Movement Studies and Wellness Education, Nursing, Psychology

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 58 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 71 percent

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

• Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field
• Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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