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IPEDS ID: 236230
OPE ID: 00378500
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Pacific Lutheran University
1010 122nd St So, Tacoma, Washington 98447-0003
General information:  (253) 531-6900
Website:  www.plu.edu
Type:  4-year, Private not-for-profit
Awards offered:  Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Campus setting:  Suburb: Large
Campus housing:  Yes
Student population:  3,652 (3,334 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  16 to 1
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open-close General Information
Admissionswww.plu.edu/external/admission/home.php
Financial Aidwww.plu.edu/~faid/
Apply Onlinewww.plu.edu/admission/first-year/
Mission Statement
  www.plu.edu/print/catalog/2006-2007/university/mission.html
Carnegie Classification
Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
Religious Affiliation
Evangelical Lutheran Church
Federal Aid
Eligible students may receive Pell Grants and other federal aid (e.g. Direct Loans).
Undergraduate students enrolled who are formally registered with office of disability services
3% or less
Special Learning Opportunities
ROTC (Army)
Teacher certification
Study abroad
Student Services
Remedial services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits
open-close Estimated Student Expenses (Before Aid)
Undergraduate academic year prices
Detailed Expenses2008-20092007-20082006-2007
Tuition and fees$26,800$25,088$23,450
Books and supplies$924$900$924
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$8,200$7,712$7,140
Other$2,427$2,205$1,923
Total Expenses2008-20092007-20082006-2007
On Campus$38,351$35,905$33,437
  • All student expenses data apply to full-time first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
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This calculator uses estimated student expenses data to estimate the total tuition and fees charged over the duration of a typical 4-year program at this school.
1. Select starting academic year
2. Select tuition inflation rate
 
 
% (0-100 allowed)
  • The output is only an estimate and not a guarantee of the actual amount the student may be charged; it is not binding on the Secretary, the institution of higher education, or the State; and it may change, subject to the availability of financial assistance, State appropriations, and other factors. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance.
  • The estimated price does not include room and board, books and supplies, &c. (where applicable) and is based on typical tuition and fees figures listed above. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Tuition inflation rate estimates for this school are based on the 3 years of data shown in the student expenses section.
Estimate the total tuition costs over the duration of a typical program at this school.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Alternative Tuition Plans
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition plan
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate students 2007-2008
Total grant aid received by all undergraduate students$40,595,144
Number of undergraduate students who received a Pell Grant774
  • Total grant aid includes dollars received from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources.
Full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students, 2007-2008
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid
Percentage of students receiving any financial aid Received aid: 93% Did not receive aid: 7%
Percentage of students receiving grant aid by type
Percentage of students receiving grant aid by type Total grants: 92% Federal: 23% Pell: 19% Other Federal: 23% State/Local: 16% Institutional: 92%
Average amount of grant aid received by type
Average amount of grant aid received by type Total grants: $15,244 Federal: $3,607 Pell: $3,019 Other Federal: $1,141 State/Local: $4,776 Institutional: $13,519
Percentage of students receiving loans by typeAverage amount of loans by type
Percentage of students receiving loans by type Total loans: 62% Federal: 62% Non-federal: 8%Average amount of loans by type Total loans: $5,752 Federal: $4,471 Non-federal: $9,870
  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2008
Total enrollment3,652
Undergraduate enrollment3,334
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment222
Graduate enrollment318
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 94% Part-time: 6%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 38% Female: 62%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 1% Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 6% Black or African American: 2% Hispanic/Latino: 2% White: 69% Two or more races: 0% Race/ethnicity unknown: 12% Non-resident alien: 7%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 89% 25 and over: 11% Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 72% Out-of-state: 28% Foreign countries: 1% Unknown: 0%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2007.
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 67% Part-time: 33%
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate application fee (2008-2009): $40
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2008
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants2,5551,0401,515
Percent admitted75%73%76%
Percent admitted who enrolled37%36%39%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequiredRecommended
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school rankX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT)X
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language)X
Test Scores: Fall 2008 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scoresNumberPercent
SAT56580%
ACT14020%
Test Scores25th Percentile*75th Percentile**
NOTES:
*  25% of students scored at or below
** 25% of students scored above
  • Data apply to first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
  • Institutions are asked to report test scores only if they are required for admission.
SAT Critical Reading490630
SAT Math500620
SAT Writing490600
ACT Composite2228
ACT English2128
ACT Math2127
open-close Retention and Graduation Rates
First-to-Second Year Retention Rates

Retention rates measure the percentage of first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall.

Retention Rates for First-Time Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Student retention: Full-time students: 85%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2007 and Returned in Fall 2008
Overall Graduation Rate and Transfer-Out Rate

The overall graduation rate is also known as the "Student Right to Know" or IPEDS graduation rate. It tracks the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students to see if they complete a degree or other award such as a certificate within 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.

Some institutions also report a transfer-out rate, which is the percentage of the full-time, first-time students who transferred to another institution.

Note that not all students at the institution are tracked for these rates. Students who have already attended another postsecondary institution, or who began their studies on a part-time basis, are not tracked for this rate. At this institution, 71 percent of students entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2008.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 70% (*) Transfer-out rate:
Percentage of Full-time, First-Time Students Who Graduated or Transferred Out Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • (*) Not all institutions report transfer-out rates.
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rates

Bachelor’s degree graduation rates measure the percentage of entering students beginning their studies full-time and are planning to get a bachelor’s degree and who complete their degree program within a specified amount of time.

Graduation Rates for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
Bachelor's degree rate: 4-year: 51% 6-year: 68% 8-year: 69%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Gender for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: Male: 66% Female: 72%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees
6-Year Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity for Students Pursuing Bachelor's Degrees: Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 58% (!)Black or African American: 27% (!)Hispanic/Latino: 50% White: 74% Race/ethnicity unknown: 54% (!)Non-resident alien: 63%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2002 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
  • (!) Interpret data with caution. There are insufficient cases for a reliable estimate.
  • One or more categories are not present in the race/ethnicity graph because of an insufficient number of cases.
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions 2007-2008
sort byProgramBachelorMasterCertificate
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
Area, ethnic, cultural, and gender studies
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, and Gender Studies, Other0--
Chinese Studies5--
Scandinavian Studies0--
Women's Studies0--
Category total5--
Biological and biomedical sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General61--
Category total61--
Business, management, marketing, and related support services
Business Administration and Management, General10920-
Category total10920-
Communication, journalism, and related programs
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric49--
Category total49--
Computer and information sciences and support services
Computer and Information Sciences, General7--
Category total7--
Education
Curriculum and Instruction-0-
Education, General6--
Educational Leadership and Administration, General-16-
Elementary Education and Teaching42--
English/Language Arts Teacher Education0--
Music Teacher Education2--
Reading Teacher Education-1-
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education0--
Secondary Education and Teaching5--
Special Education and Teaching, General00-
Special Education and Teaching, Other-0-
Teacher Education/Profess Development, Levels & Methods, Other-2930
Category total554630
Engineering
Computer Engineering, General5--
Engineering Science0--
Category total5--
English language and literature/letters
Creative Writing2220-
English Language and Literature, General22--
Category total4420-
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics
Classics/Classical Languages, Lit & Linguistics, General2--
French Language and Literature15--
German Language and Literature6--
Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics0--
Spanish Language and Literature15--
Category total38--
Health professions and related clinical sciences
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner-20-
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling-15-
Nursing, Other-4-
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)83--
Category total8339-
History
History, General33--
Category total33--
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other0--
Category total0--
Mathematics and statistics
Mathematics, General15--
Category total15--
Multi/interdisciplinary studies
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other22--
Category total22--
Natural resources and conservation
Environmental Studies0--
Category total0--
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies
Health and Physical Education, General32--
Category total32--
Philosophy and religious studies
Philosophy7--
Religion/Religious Studies13--
Category total20--
Physical sciences
Chemistry, General10--
Geology/Earth Science, General4--
Physics, General9--
Category total23--
Psychology
Psychology, General45--
Category total45--
Public administration and social service professions
Social Work21--
Category total21--
Social sciences
Anthropology13--
Economics, General21--
Political Science and Government, General28--
Sociology28--
Category total90--
Visual and performing arts
Art/Art Studies, General13--
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General9--
Music, General18--
Category total40--
Grand total79712530
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
2007-2008 Varsity Athletes
NCAA Division III (with football) MenWomen
All Track Combined3732
Baseball33–
Basketball1610
Football98–
Golf76
Rowing1228
Soccer3323
Softball–18
Swimming1515
Tennis149
Volleyball–15
open-close Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
AgencyPeriods of AccreditationStatus
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 9/1/1936 -  Accredited
Specialized Accreditation
Agency / ProgramPeriods of AccreditationStatus
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) - Clinical training programs at the master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels1/31/2006 -  Accredited
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels10/3/2003 -  Accredited
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levels10/3/2003 -  Accredited
National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation
Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs(!)9/1/1978 -  Accredited
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Teacher Education (TED) - Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools1/1/1958 -  Accredited
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program(!)5/1/1966 -  Accredited
Nursing (MNUR) - Master's program10/1/1993 -  Accredited
  • (!) Estimated date
open-close Campus Security
2007 Crime Statistics
Arrests - On-Campus200520062007
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations000
Liquor law violations000
Arrests - On-Campus Residence Halls !200520062007
Illegal weapons possession000
Drug law violations000
Liquor law violations000
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus200520062007
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible002
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery000
Aggravated assault000
Burglary51515
Motor vehicle theft2186
Arson000
Criminal Offenses - On-Campus Residence Halls !200520062007
Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
Negligent manslaughter000
Sex offenses - Forcible002
Sex offenses - Non-forcible (incest and statutory rape only)000
Robbery000
Aggravated assault000
Burglary41310
Motor vehicle theft000
Arson000
  • (!) Residence Halls are a subset of On-Campus statistics
  • The crime data reported by the institutions have not been subjected to independent verification by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the Department cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data reported here.
  • These data do not include incidents that: (a) took place off campus on public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from the Campus; (b) took place on a noncampus building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) incidents at buildings/property owned or controlled by an institution but is not contiguous to the institution. For further information, see http://ope.ed.gov/security.
open-close Federal Loans
Average amount of undergraduate student loans by type, 2007-2008
Loan typeAverage amount
FFEL Subsidized Stafford Loan$4,187
FFEL Unsubsidized Stafford Loan$4,092
Default Rates
Fiscal Year200720062005
Default rate2.4%2.0%1.1%
Number in default212412
Number in repayment8661,1581,070
Aid Programs
  • Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
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