Pacific Lutheran University is a private Christian university that offers 40+ majors and 50+ minors in a wide range of disciplines. The institution has a total enrollment of approximately 3100 students, including 38% of international students, who represent 38 states and 28 countries.

The institute is the first American University conducting study away classes on all 7 continents. It is also the first institute on the West Coast to be awarded the Senator Paul Simon Award for campus internationalization.

With an acceptance of over 80% in the last 5 years, the university is considered to be moderately selective. Pacific Lutheran University admissions are primarily based on the academic grades of the students. The average GPA of the PLU class of 2024 is 3.0 on a scale of4.0. For non-US students, a TOEFL-iBT score of 79 or above is highly significant.

Pacific Lutheran University Rankings

  • Ranked in the top 20 of Best Universities in the West by U.S. News & World Reports.
  • #7 for most innovative College in the West according to U.S. News and World Report.
  • Pacific Lutheran University is one of the top 4% of Masters universities nationwide.
  • Nursing school of PLU has ranked in the top 30% nationally according to U.S. News and World Report
  • Ranked in Top 25 in the U.S. for Creative Arts Scholarships.

Pacific Lutheran University Highlights

Type of University Private
Setting Suburban
Acceptance Rate 86%
Location Tacoma, Washington
Retention Rate 82%.
Total enrolment 3,100
student-faculty ratio 13:1
Basic Tuition Fee for International Students $47,126
Academic Calendar 4-1-4 calendar
Campus Accommodation Available
Financial Aid and Scholarships Available
Admission Helpdesk 800-274-6758
Official Website admissions@plu.edu

Pacific Lutheran University Campus & Accomodation

Pacific Lutheran University is located in the Parkland Neighborhood of Tacoma in Washington. The main campus is further divided into 2 sections called “upper campus” and “lower campus”. 

The institute comprises various significant buildings namely Philip Hauge Administration Building, Mortvedt Library, Ramstad Hall, Xavier Hall, among others. The university’s Media Lab has won an Emmy Award. 

There are more than 100 clubs and activities engaging students including 19 athletic teams in NCAA Division III Northwest Conference.

Accommodations

Through its residence halls, PLU offers on campus to the incoming student population. Students can choose from the options as a double room, single room with bath, and designated room with all basic amenities. Students who didn't meet the residency requirements can choose to live off-campus as well.

Accommodation Price per semester (in USD)
Traditional Housing 
Double Room $2,665.00
Design Single $3,330.00
Single-Double $3,465.00
Upper Division Single $3,200.00
South Hall Rates 
Studio A $3,475.00
Studio B $3,550.00
Studio C $3,675.00
1 Bedroom Loft $3,800.00
2 Bedroom Townhouse $3,415.00
2 Bedroom Apartment $3,365.00
4 Bedroom Apartment $3,390.00
5 Bedroom Townhouse $3,390.00

Pacific Lutheran University Programs

The university offers 44 majors and 54 minors, as well as graduate and professional programs in business administration, education, finance, creative writing, marketing analytics, marriage and family therapy, and nursing.

Course Requirements Fees
MBA Bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA GMAT or GRE TOEFL - 83 $ 46,728
BBA High school GPA 3 TOEFL - 79 250 words Essay $ 46,850
Master of Science in Finance Work experience Bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA GMAT or GRE TOEFL - 83 $ 40,200
Bachelors of Arts high school GPA 3 TOEFL - 79 ACT - 21 or SAT-500 $46850
Postgraduate Nursing Certificate 2 references Official transcript master's degree with a 3.0 GPA GMAT or GRE TOEFL- 8.3 $45,920

Pacific Lutheran University Admission

The admission process at Pacific Lutheran University is similar for domestic as well as international applicants. The details of the application process are as follows:

How to apply?

Admission portal:

Application Fees- $48

Admission Requirements

Pacific Lutheran University Cost of Attendance

A rough estimation of the cost of attendance of pursuing education at Pacific Lutheran University is given below:

Category Cost (in USD)
Tuition and Fees 47,126
Room & Meals 11,482
Books & Supplies 942
Student Health Insurance 1,295
Personal Expenses (approximate) 2,265
Total 63,110

Pacific Lutheran University Scholarships

The average financial aid offered by Pacific Lutheran University is $37,075. Most of the international students qualify for merit-based scholarships offered by PLU. The university expects students to pay at least half all more than the annual tuition fees as well as the living in addition to the miscellaneous expenses on their own to individual, family, or government sources.

PLU also offers need based financial aid to eligible international students, the need based financial aid is offered once all the candidates must be officially admitted to the university and they have to submit a CSS profile online. Endowed scholarships are made available in some years of $3,000 for eligible students.

Scholarship Award
International grants $6,000-$28,000 (renewed)
Nordic grants $30,000/per year (renewed)+ 32 credits
Transfer scholarship Varies
First-year scholarships Varies
Artistic achievement award $1,000 - $7,500 (renewed)

Pacific Lutheran University Alumni

Alumni association of Pacific Lutheran University has a wide global network of over 37,000 active alumni and the university also offers the alumni many benefits and services which includes the following:

  • Athletic Club
  • Career Services
  • Continued Education
  • Health Insurance
  • Job Search
  • Mortvedt Library Use
  • Transcript Request

Notable Alumni:

  • John Marzano- Italian- American opera singer
  • Crystal Aikin- American gospel singer and songwriter
  • Michael Peterson- American country music artist
  • Angela Meade- Winner of Beverly sills artist award
  • Micah Haven- Director of bands at meeker middle school in Tacoma

Pacific Lutheran University Placements

The average salary of some of the job titles are given below:

Job title Salary Range
Marketing director $54k- $66k
Staff accountant $40k- $52k
Communication specialist $54- $62
Sr. compliance officer $122k- $127k
Marketing manager $43k - $106k
Software engineer $77k - $151k

Pacific Lutheran University is well-known for its emphasis on work-study opportunities, generously endowed scholarships, and an easy-to-use financial aid application process. U.S. News and World Report rank the university tenth among the country's "Best Value Schools," and Best Value Schools both name it one of the best value schools in Washington.

FAQs

Ques. What type of courses are offered at the PLU?

Ans. PLU offers more than four teenagers and 50 minors in many disciplines. PLU also offers first to graduate programmes in disciplines like culture in business administration, creative writing, finance, marketing analytic, marriage and family therapy, education, and nursing.

Ques. Does PLU rank nationally?

Ans. PLU rank at #339 in college ranking according to the Times higher University Rankings.

Ques. What will be the accommodation cost in court by a student of PLU?

Ans. If a student is living in an on-campus accommodation one will cost around $10,520 and if a student is living with their parents the accommodation can cost about $3270.

Ques. How many countries are represented by PLU?

Ans. 23 countries are represented every year with international students enrolled in PLU.

Ques. How many campuses are owned by PLU?

Ans. PLU owns only one campus which is divided into two sections namely upper campus and lower campus.