Pacific Lutheran University
About Pacific Lutheran University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Pacific Lutheran University is a private university in Tacoma, Washington. It offers programs in business, nursing, science, and music, with a Lutheran heritage and a campus near both Seattle and Mount Rainier.
Founded
1890
Location
Tacoma, Washington
Students
2,752
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
78%
Open admission
Graduation Rate
68.6%
Near national average
Tuition
$52,254
Per year
Avg Net Price
$19,589
After financial aid
SAT Average
1168
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$66,990
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Moderate
Most students who apply are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Jul 15
Pacific Lutheran University accepts the majority of applicants at 78%. If you meet the basic requirements, this is an accessible option worth considering.
SAT Scores
1168/ 1600
ACT Scores
25/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Average
68.6% complete their degree within six years
Retention
81.9%
4-Year Grad
59%
6-Year Grad
69%
Teaching Quality
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
69.6%
$/Student
$12.3K
Class Size
Medium
While 59% finish in 4 years, 81.9% of freshmen do return for sophomore year. Many students here may take a bit longer, but they stick with it.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$52,254
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$13,008
Books & Supplies
$785
Total Cost of Attendance
$62,459
After Financial Aid
$19,589
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$13,609
Receive Grants
35.3%
Take Loans
44.2%
Don't let the $52,254 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $19,589 after financial aid, a 63% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $13,609.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Pacific Lutheran University fund their education.
While in School
35.3%
Get Grants
Free money
44.2%
Take Loans
Must repay
$59,189
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$22,578
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$239/mo
Monthly Payment
0.1%
LowDefault Rate
Students typically graduate with $22,578 in debt, below the national median. That's a manageable amount for most career paths.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Pacific Lutheran University.
Gender
64.2%
Female
36%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,401
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
351
Graduates
29.6%
First-Gen
21 yrs
Avg Age
8.8%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 64% of the student body. 29.6% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
Suburb: Large
Campus Quick Facts
2,401
Students
private
Institution
Small
Campus Size
Master's
Classification
What This College Offers
4-1-4 calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Pacific Lutheran University fields 12 varsity teams with 474 student athletes, about 20% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division III with football
Conference
Independent
Plays in no conference
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Football
Student Athletes
474
20% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
58% / 42%
276
Men
198
Women
8
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Pacific Lutheran Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$66,990
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$82K
132 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$53K
70 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$37K
43 grads
1yr Earnings
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
$33K
41 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$31K
41 grads
1yr Earnings
Communication and Media Studies
$34K
23 grads
1yr Earnings
Earnings grow steadily here: $52K at six years, $46K at eight, and $67K by ten. Well above average at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pacific Lutheran University
What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?▾
How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Pacific Lutheran University?▾
How much do Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.