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Tacoma , WA
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private liberal arts institution located in Tacoma, Washington. Founded in 1890, PLU has a strong reputation for its focus on educating the whole person and preparing students for lives of service, leadership, and success. With a student population of over 3,100 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, PLU ensures that students receive personalized attention and engage in meaningful interactions with faculty and peers.
At PLU, students have access to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines such as humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, business, education, and more. The university is particularly known for its programs in nursing, business administration, education, and environmental studies. PLU is committed to experiential learning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings through internships, research, and community engagement. This hands-on approach helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.
Furthermore, PLU values diversity and inclusivity, fostering an inclusive community where students from all backgrounds can thrive. The campus provides numerous opportunities for involvement, such as student-led organizations, clubs, and activities that cater to diverse interests, passions, and cultures. With a strong commitment to sustainability, PLU has been awarded multiple accolades for its environmental initiatives, including having a LEED Gold-certified major building and significant carbon neutrality efforts. Overall, Pacific Lutheran University offers a supportive and well-rounded education that prepares students to make positive contributions to their communities and succeed in their chosen fields.
Pacific Lutheran University is a private university located in Tacoma, WA and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a 4-1-4 calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at Pacific Lutheran University is 82% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is September 1.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Pacific Lutheran University.
Quick Facts
2,446
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
69%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Check out some relevant facts about admission at Pacific Lutheran University.
In 2025, the school accepted 3,894 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively noncompetitive.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.66. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you are applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Pacific Lutheran University was 82% in 2025, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University in 2025 was 2,797.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 20. There was a total of 2,446 undergrad students, including 108 international students. 20 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 879 male and 1,603 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. 62 full-time graduate men and 160 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Pacific Lutheran University.
This school had 248 Asian students and 130 Afro-American students in 2025. 463 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 274 as multirace. The school also had 59 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 16 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 27 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Pacific Lutheran University.
According to the most recent data, 342 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $45,895 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,305 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Pacific Lutheran University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 1,317. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $4,673,236, and state $8,135,066. The students of Pacific Lutheran University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $56,253,773, and external in the amount of $2,550,994.
$28,883
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 655 students overall (including freshmen) at Pacific Lutheran University in 2025. 174 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $9,139,812. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $545,042 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2025, this ratio at Pacific Lutheran University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 298 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 113 men and 165 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Pacific Lutheran University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Pacific Lutheran University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Pacific Lutheran University.
Its campus is 156 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Pacific Lutheran University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Pacific Lutheran University provides a number of services crucial for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Pacific Lutheran University.
All in all, campus life at Pacific Lutheran University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Pacific Lutheran University.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA.
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Pacific Lutheran University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Pacific Lutheran University is 78%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Pacific Lutheran University is 82%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.