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IPEDS ID: 236230
OPE ID: 00378500
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Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Ave South, Tacoma, Washington 98447-0003
Distance from ZIP:  0.0 miles from 98447
General information:  (253) 535-8145
Website:  www.plu.edu/
Type:  4-year, Private not-for-profit
Awards offered:  Less than one year certificate
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Campus setting:  Suburb: Large
Campus housing:  Yes
Student population:  2,907 (2,544 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio:  12 to 1
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open-close General Information
Admissionswww.plu.edu/admission/
Apply Onlinewww.plu.edu/admission/first-year/
Financial Aidwww.plu.edu/financial-aid/
Net Price Calculatorwww.plu.edu/financial-aid/HEOA-Required-Consumer-Information/net-price-calculator.php
Tuition Policies for Servicemembers and Veteranswww.plu.edu/admission-military/
Disability Serviceswww.plu.edu/dss/
Mission Statement
  PLU seeks to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care – for other people, for their communities, and for the Earth.
Carnegie Classification
Master's Colleges & 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
Pacific Lutheran University works in partnership with students to define reasonable educational accommodations in the college setting.
Special Learning Opportunities
ROTC (Army)
Teacher certification
Distance education – undergraduate courses offered, programs not offered
Distance education – graduate courses offered, programs not offered
Study abroad
Weekend/evening college
Student Services
Academic/career counseling service
Employment services for students
Placement services for completers
Credit Accepted
Dual credit
Advanced placement (AP) credits
Faculty and graduate assistants by primary function, Fall 2020Full timePart time
Total faculty198103
Instructional198103
Research and public service00
Total graduate assistants-0
Instructional-0
Research-0
open-close Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Student Expenses
Estimated Expenses for Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Estimated expenses for academic year2017-20182018-20192019-20202020-2021% change 2019-2020 to 2020-2021
Tuition and fees$40,722$42,436$43,674$46,8507.3%
Books and supplies$840$840$900$9303.3%
Living arrangement
On Campus
Room and board$10,520$10,790$10,876$11,1502.5%
Other$2,718$2,718$2,808$2,8802.6%
Off Campus
Room and board$10,520$10,520$10,876$11,1502.5%
Other$2,718$2,718$2,808$2,8802.6%
Off Campus with Family
Other$3,270$3,270$3,120$3,2163.1%
Total Expenses2017-20182018-20192019-20202020-2021% change 2019-2020 to 2020-2021
On Campus$54,800$56,784$58,258$61,8106.1%
Off Campus$54,800$56,514$58,258$61,8106.1%
Off Campus with Family$44,832$46,546$47,694$50,9966.9%
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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 previous years' tuition and fees data. Tuition and fees may vary by program. Please contact this institution for detailed price information.
  • Estimated yearly tuition and fees may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Estimate the total tuition and fee costs over the duration of a typical program.
 Multiyear Tuition Calculator
Average graduate student tuition and fees for academic year2020-2021
Tuition$29,841
Fees$550
Alternative Tuition Plans
Type of PlanOffered
Tuition guarantee plan
Prepaid tuition plan
Tuition payment planX
Other alternative tuition plan
open-close Financial Aid
Undergraduate Student Financial Aid, 2019-2020
Full-time Beginning Undergraduate Students
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
Type of AidNumber receiving aidPercent receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Any student financial aid1595100%————
Grant or scholarship aid594100%$18,670,776$31,432
Federal grants24942%$1,280,822$5,144
Pell grants22337%$1,048,223$4,701
Other federal grants24842%$232,599$938
State/local government grant or scholarships18231%$1,881,269$10,337
Institutional grants or scholarships59299%$15,508,685$26,197
Student loan aid35359%$2,579,543$7,307
Federal student loans34358%$1,780,272$5,190
Other student loans488%$799,271$16,651
  • 1 Includes students receiving Federal work study aid and aid from other sources not listed above.
All Undergraduate Students
Type of AidNumber receiving aidTotal amount of aid receivedAverage amount of aid received
Grant or scholarship aid12,600$75,821,836$29,162
Pell grants871$4,059,041$4,660
Federal student loans1,406$14,690,954$10,449
  • 1 Grant or scholarship aid includes aid received, from the federal government, state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.

  • For more information on Student Financial Assistance Programs or to apply for financial aid via the web, visit Federal Student Aid.
open-close Net Price
Average Net Price for Full-Time Beginning Students
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.
2017-20182018-20192019-2020
Average net price$24,174$25,362$25,368
Full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded Title IV aid by income.
Average net price by Income2017-20182018-20192019-2020
$0 – $30,000$17,389$17,344$14,532
$30,001 – $48,000$17,754$17,998$15,500
$48,001 – $75,000$20,845$20,369$21,062
$75,001 – $110,000$26,656$27,598$28,190
$110,001 and more$33,349$28,021$28,832
  • Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees, books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
  • Beginning students are those who are entering postsecondary education for the first time.
  • Title IV aid to students includes grant aid, work study aid, and loan aid. These include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Subsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan, and Unsubsidized Direct or FFEL Stafford Loan. For those Title IV recipients, net price is reported by income category and includes students who received federal aid even if none of that aid was provided in the form of grants. While Title IV status defines the cohort of student for which the data are reported, the definition of net price remains the same – total cost of attendance minus grant aid.
Net Price Calculator
An institution’s net price calculator allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending that institution for a particular student.
open-close Enrollment
Fall 2020
Total enrollment2,907
Undergraduate enrollment2,544
Undergraduate transfer-in enrollment136
Graduate enrollment363
Undergraduate Attendance StatusUndergraduate Student Gender
Undergraduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 98% Part-time: 2%Undergraduate Student Gender: Male: 36% Female: 64%
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity
Undergraduate Race/ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native: 0% Asian: 11% Black or African American: 4% Hispanic/Latino: 14% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 1% White: 56% Two or more races: 11% Race/ethnicity unknown: 2% Non-resident alien: 1%
Undergraduate Student AgeUndergraduate Student Residence
Undergraduate Student Age: 24 and under: 91% 25 and over: 9% Age unknown: 0%Undergraduate Student Residence: In-state: 76% Out-of-state: 24% Foreign countries: 0% Unknown: 0%
  • Age data are reported for Fall 2019.
  • Residence data are reported for first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates.
Graduate Attendance Status
Graduate Attendance Status: Full-time: 71% Part-time: 29%
Undergraduate Distance Education StatusGraduate Distance Education Status
Undergraduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status: Enrolled only in distance education: 42% Enrolled in some distance education: 57% Not enrolled in any distance education: 1%Graduate Enrollment by Distance Education Status: Enrolled only in distance education: 70% Enrolled in some distance education: 24% Not enrolled in any distance education: 6%
  • Due to Coronavirus, instruction primarily took place online in fall 2020.
open-close Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions Fall 2020
TotalMaleFemale
Number of applicants3,3061,2252,080
Percent admitted86%84%87%
Percent admitted who enrolled21%20%21%
Admissions ConsiderationsRequiredRecommendedConsidered but not required
Secondary school GPAX
Secondary school rankX
Secondary school recordX
Completion of college-preparatory programX
RecommendationsX
Admission test scores (SAT/ACT)X
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: 80%
Percentage of Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2019 and Returned in Fall 2020
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, 79 percent of entering students were counted as "full-time, first-time" in 2020.

Overall Graduation and Transfer-Out Rates for Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2014
Overall graduation rate: Overall graduation rate: 71% (*) 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: [Began in Fall 2012] 4-year: 58% 6-year: 67% 8-year: 67% [Began in Fall 2014] 4-year: 63% 6-year: 71%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Graduated in the Specified Amount of Time and Began in Fall 2012 or Fall 2014
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: 67% Female: 73%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2014 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: American Indian or Alaska Native: 80% Asian: 81% Black or African American: 31% Hispanic/Latino: 74% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 50% White: 73% Two or more races: 62% Non-resident alien: 50%
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2014 and Received a Degree or Award Within 150% of "Normal Time" to Completion for Their Program
open-close Outcome Measures
  • Alternative measures of student success are reported by degree-granting institutions to describe the outcomes of degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students who are not only first-time, full-time students, but also part-time attending and non-first-time (transfer-in) students. These measures are also reported for students receiving Pell grants and those students that do not receive Pell grants. These measures provide the 8-year award-completion rates by award level (certificates, associate's and bachelor degrees) after entering an institution. For students who did not earn any undergraduate award after 8-years of entry, the enrollment statuses are reported as either still enrolled at the institution, or subsequently transferred out of the institution. Unlike the Graduation Rates data, all reporting institutions must report on their transfer outs regardless if the institution has a mission that provides substantial transfer preparation.
FULL-TIME, FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2012-13
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 68% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 26% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 55% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 32% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 72% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 23%
FULL-TIME, NON-FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2012-13
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 68% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 23% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 68% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 24% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 69% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 22%
PART-TIME, NON-FIRST-TIME DEGREE/CERTIFICATE-SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO ENTERED IN 2012-13
Award and enrollment rate: [All students] Received a Bachelor's degree: 57% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 21% [Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 67% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 33% [Non-Pell] Received a Bachelor's degree: 50% Enrolled at same institution: 0% Enrolled at different institution: 13%
open-close Programs/Majors
Completions (Number of awards conferred) 2019-2020
Completions are the number of awards conferred by program and award level.
sort byProgramBachelorMasterDoctorUndergraduate
Certificate		Postgraduate
Certificate
  • Data shown are for first majors.
  • (-) Program is not offered at this award level.
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Chinese Studies6----
Scandinavian Studies3----
Women's Studies6----
Category total15----
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General41----
Category total41----
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Finance---1-
Business Administration and Management, General9730---
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies----0
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management----0
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other-12---
Research and Development Management----0
Category total9742-10
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Speech Communication and Rhetoric25----
Category total25----
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General24----
Category total24----
Education
Education, General00---
Educational Administration and Supervision, Other----0
Educational Leadership and Administration, General-0---
Elementary Education and Teaching23----
Music Teacher Education15----
Secondary Education and Teaching0----
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other-49-0-
Category total3849-00
English Language and Literature/Letters
Creative Writing1316---
English Language and Literature, General10----
Category total2316---
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General2----
French Language and Literature3----
German Language and Literature2----
Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General10----
Category total17----
Health Professions and Related Programs
Clinical Nurse Leader-27---
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing-00-1
Health/Health Care Administration/Management----0
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling-20---
Nursing Practice--19--
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse82----
Category total824719-1
History
History, General15----
Category total15----
Mathematics and Statistics
Financial Mathematics-8---
Mathematics, General13----
Category total138---
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
International/Globalization Studies0----
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other27----
Category total27----
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Exercise Science and Kinesiology52----
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General-0---
Category total520---
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Philosophy2----
Religion/Religious Studies6----
Category total8----
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, General29----
Geology/Earth Science, General12----
Physics, General11----
Category total52----
Psychology
Psychology, General45----
Category total45----
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work19----
Category total19----
Social Sciences
Anthropology, General6----
Economics, General9----
Political Science and Government, General25----
Sociology, General26----
Category total66----
Visual and Performing Arts
Art History, Criticism and Conservation3----
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General11----
Fine/Studio Arts, General18----
Music, General21----
Category total53----
Grand total7121621911
open-close Servicemembers and Veterans
Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)
Credit for military training
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families
Recognized student veteran organization
Member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
Tuition policies specifically for Veterans and Servicemembers
Educational Benefits, 2019-2020
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance
Number of students receiving benefits/assistance: Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: 145 Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: 39 DoD Tuition Assistance Program - undergraduates: 0 DoD Tuition Assistance Program - graduates: 2
Average amount of benefits/assistance awarded through the institution (*)
Average amount of benefits/assistance awarded through the institution: Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - undergraduates: $21,088 Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits - graduates: $19,139
  • (*) One or more average amounts of benefits/assistance are withheld to preserve the privacy of individuals.
RETENTION RATES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREES
RETENTION RATES FOR FIRST-TIME, DEGREE/CERTIFICATE EDUCATION BENEFIT USERS PURSUING BACHELOR'S DEGREES Full-time students: 71% Part-time students: 0%
Retention rate is the percentage of undergraduate students who began their studies in academic year 2013-14 and returned in academic year 2014-15
open-close Varsity Athletic Teams
2019-2020 Varsity Athletes
NCAA Division III with footballMenWomen
All Track Combined4548
Baseball35–
Basketball1712
Football105–
Golf88
Rowing–28
Soccer2934
Softball–25
Swimming1424
Tennis1010
Volleyball–17
open-close Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
AccreditorStatusNext Review Date
Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesAccredited since (09/01/1936)04/01/2025
Programmatic Accreditation
Accreditor / ProgramStatusNext Review Date
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. – May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
Nursing (MNUR) - Master's programAccredited (10/01/1993 - 12/31/2004)
Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate programAccredited (05/01/1966 - 12/31/2004)
 No Longer Recognized  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 levelsAccredited (01/31/2006 - 04/15/2013)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levelsAccredited since (09/22/2016)05/31/2021
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levelsAccredited since (10/03/2003)12/31/2023
Nursing (CNURED) - Nursing education programs at the graduate degree levelsAccredited since (10/03/2003)12/31/2023
 No Longer Recognized  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 schoolsAccredited since (01/01/1958)12/31/2019
  • For more detailed information on accreditation for this institution, including all actions and justification for actions, visit OPE's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs: ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/institution-profile/148919.
open-close Campus Security and Safety
On-Campus
Criminal Offenses201620172018
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape311
d. Fondling201
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery010
h. Aggravated assault001
i. Burglary9119
j. Motor vehicle theft567
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201620172018
a. Domestic violence112
b. Dating violence000
c. Stalking421
Arrests201620172018
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations000
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201620172018
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations325515
c. Liquor law violations637136
On-Campus Student Housing Facilities
  • On-campus Student Housing Facilities statistics are a subset of On-Campus statistics.
Criminal Offenses201620172018
a. Murder/Non-negligent manslaughter000
b. Negligent manslaughter000
c. Rape210
d. Fondling201
e. Incest000
f. Statutory Rape000
g. Robbery000
h. Aggravated assault000
i. Burglary103
j. Motor vehicle theft000
k. Arson000
VAWA Offenses201620172018
a. Domestic violence102
b. Dating violence000
c. Stalking311
Arrests201620172018
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations000
c. Liquor law violations000
Disciplinary Actions201620172018
a. Weapons: carrying, possessing, etc.000
b. Drug abuse violations29519
c. Liquor law violations547133
  • 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.
  • The crime statistics displayed only includes On-Campus data associated with the main campus as listed on College Navigator. For statistics associated with each campus location, off campus data, and for additional information covering Hate Crimes, and Fire statistics see https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety.
  • The On-Campus data do not include incidents that: (a) took place on public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus; (b) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or (c) took place on any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of, or in relation to, the institution's educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution.
open-close Cohort Default Rates
Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates
Fiscal Year201820172016
Default rate2.7%2.4%3.4%
Number in default212131
Number in repayment755865887
Aid Programs
  • Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan)
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