Pacific Lutheran University

www.plu.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$50,096

1.26% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$22,299

After Financial Aid

2022 Default Rate

0.158%

on Student Loans

2024 Acceptance Rate

78%

4,992 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

2,797

92.8% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

68.6%

445 Graduates

About

Pacific Lutheran University is a higher education institution located in Pierce County, WA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Pacific Lutheran University were Registered Nursing (132 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (58 degrees), and General Biological Sciences (44 degrees).

In 2024, 787 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Pacific Lutheran University. 69.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 30.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (435 degrees), 4.1 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (106 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Pacific Lutheran University is $50,096, which is $26,096 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

In 2022 the default rate for borrower's at Pacific Lutheran University was 0.158%, corresponding to 1 out of the 632 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Pacific Lutheran University is $50,096, which is $26,096 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $22,299.

In 2024, 94% of undergraduate students attending Pacific Lutheran University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$50,096

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Pacific Lutheran University was $50,096. The cost of tuition at Pacific Lutheran University is $26,096 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Pacific Lutheran University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$22,299

2024 Value

6.47%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Pacific Lutheran University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $22,299. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Pacific Lutheran University grew by 6.47%.

This chart compares the average net price of Pacific Lutheran University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,446

Room and Board

$762

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Pacific Lutheran University was of $12,446 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 5.24% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $762. The cost of books and supplies increased by 8.55% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Pacific Lutheran University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

94%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

44%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

94% of undergraduate students at Pacific Lutheran University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a decline of 2.08% with respect to 2023, when 96% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Pacific Lutheran University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.158%

2022 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2022 the default rate for borrower's at Pacific Lutheran University was 0.158%, which represents 1 out of the 632 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Pacific Lutheran University received 4,992 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 20.6% annual growth. Out of those 4,992 applicants, 3,895 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 78% acceptance rate.

There were 2,797 students enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University in 2024. 15% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Pacific Lutheran University has an overall enrollment yield of 14.1%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

78%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

3,895

Accepted Out of 4,992

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Pacific Lutheran University was 78% (3,895 admissions from 4,992 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 80.5%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 20.6%, while admissions grew by 16.9%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Pacific Lutheran University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

15%

Submission Percentage (2024)

Scores Submitted (2024)

15% of enrolled first-time students at Pacific Lutheran University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Pacific Lutheran University had a total enrollment of 2,797 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Pacific Lutheran University is 2,595 students and the part-time enrollment is 202. This means that 92.8% of students enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Pacific Lutheran University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 45.9% White, 18.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Two or More Races, 10.5% Asian, 5.61% Black or African American, 2.29% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.644% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (28.1%), followed by White Male (17%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (13.8%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (38.6%), followed by White Male (14.2%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (10.3%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

92.8%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Pacific Lutheran University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 2,797 students. The full-time enrollment at Pacific Lutheran University is 2,595 and the part-time enrollment is 202. This means that 92.8% of students enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Pacific Lutheran University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

82%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Pacific Lutheran University was 82%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Pacific Lutheran University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Pacific Lutheran University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,285 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
511 enrolled students
Two or More Races
306 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Pacific Lutheran University is 45.9% White, 18.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Two or More Races, 10.5% Asian, 5.61% Black or African American, 2.29% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.644% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 43 students (1.54%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 309 more women than men received degrees from Pacific Lutheran University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Pacific Lutheran University is white (435 degrees awarded). There were 4.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (106 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Pacific Lutheran University is Registered Nursing (132 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (58 degrees) and General Biological Sciences (44 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Pacific Lutheran University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Physical Sciences (33 degrees awarded), English (30 degrees), and Philosophy and Religious Studies (11 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Postsecondary teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pacific Lutheran University are Postsecondary teachers (171,949 people), Other managers (165,805 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (155,866 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (130,651 people), and Secondary school teachers (128,600 people).

The most specialized majors at Pacific Lutheran University in 2024 are Physical Sciences (33 degrees awarded), English (30 degrees), Philosophy and Religious Studies (11 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (41 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (8 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pacific Lutheran University are Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, Surgeons, Logisticians, Economists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Pacific Lutheran University are Physical Sciences (33 degrees awarded), English (30 degrees), Philosophy and Religious Studies (11 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (41 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (8 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Pacific Lutheran University are Elementary & secondary schools (406,657 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (356,419 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (191,634 people), Computer Systems Design (150,998 people), and Legal services (110,218 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Pacific Lutheran University.

Most Common (2024)

Registered Nursing
132 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
58 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
44 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Pacific Lutheran University was Registered Nursing with 132 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Pacific Lutheran University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

239

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

548

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 239 degrees were awarded to men at Pacific Lutheran University, which is 0.436 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (548).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Pacific Lutheran University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 39 degrees were awarded to men at Pacific Lutheran University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.975 times less than the 40 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 111 degrees were awarded to men at Pacific Lutheran University in Registered Nursing, which is 5.29 times more than the 21 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

63%

100% Completion Time

72%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 63% of students graduating from Pacific Lutheran University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 72% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 72% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
435 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
106 degrees awarded
Asian
100 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Pacific Lutheran University is white (435 degrees awarded). There were 4.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (106 degrees).

0.889% of degree recipients (7 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
488 degrees awarded
White Female
471 degrees awarded
White Female
466 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Pacific Lutheran University is white female (488 degrees awarded). There were 1.04 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (471 degrees).

Operations

Pacific Lutheran University has an endowment valued at nearly $132M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 27.8M (21.1%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Pacific Lutheran University had a total salary expenditure of 98.4M. Pacific Lutheran University employs 58 Associate professors, 55 Assistant professors and 49 Professors. Most academics at Pacific Lutheran University are Female Associate professor (39), Male Assistant professor (29), and Female Instructor (28).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Pacific Lutheran University are: Management, with 95 employees, Service, with 70 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 60 employees.

Endowment

$132M

2024 Endowment

12%

growth from 2023

Pacific Lutheran University has an endowment valued at about $132M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Pacific Lutheran University grew 12% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $86M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Pacific Lutheran University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$6.64M - Federal
$786k - State
$415k - Local

As of 2024, Pacific Lutheran University received $6.64M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $786k from state grants and contracts, and $415k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$46.4M

2024 Salaries

2.84%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Pacific Lutheran University paid a median of $46.4M in salaries, which represents 47.1% of their overall expenditure ($98.4M) and a 2.84% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 1.95% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 2.8% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$15.5M

Instructional Salaries

194

Number of Employees

In 2024, Pacific Lutheran University paid a total of $15.5M to 194 employees working as instructors, which represents 33.5% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Pacific Lutheran University were Management with 95 employees, Service with 70 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 60 employees.

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