Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington. 2,401 undergraduates. Admits 78% of applicants.

64%Graduation rate10 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$20,652Average net price per year4% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$71,109Median earnings 10 years after starting21% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$19,500Median debt at graduation10% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($19,500) equals 27% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($71,109).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$13,627
$30,000–$48,000$13,026
$48,001–$75,000$16,022
$75,001–$110,000$18,495
Over $110,000$21,998

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $53,096.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate64%54%
Return for second year82%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$57,116$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$71,109$58,912
Median debt at graduation$19,500$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

45 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General—$73,553$119,816—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing132$93,928$94,537$23,500
Business Administration, Management and Operations58$58,247$78,876$16,750
Mathematics13—$78,655—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods22$57,038$75,622$21,017
Chemistry14—$70,643—
Social Work19—$66,593$19,500
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness40$44,328$66,556$21,500
Communication and Media Studies27$42,278$61,782$19,000
Biology, General44$41,585$60,126$19,207
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other6$37,341$59,298—
Psychology, General28$48,724$57,974$18,517
Sociology10$44,648$54,944$20,875
History16—$53,972$20,500
Fine and Studio Arts24$40,294$51,978$20,121
Economics8$51,484——
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics6$50,428——
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies11—$46,167—
Music14—$40,216—
Natural Resources Conservation and Research8———
Area Studies2———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies6———
Computer Science24——$16,500
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas13———
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1———
English Language and Literature, General10———
Applied Mathematics1———
International/Globalization Studies5———
Philosophy2———
Religion/Religious Studies9———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences5———
Physics14———
Anthropology3———
Criminology18——$20,750
Political Science and Government13———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft13——$25,000

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

78%Admission rate
1,168Average SAT of admitted students
22–28ACT middle 50%
12:1Students per faculty member
41%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost per year?
The average net price at Pacific Lutheran University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $20,652 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn?
Former Pacific Lutheran University students earn a median of $71,109 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Pacific Lutheran University?
64% of Pacific Lutheran University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Pacific Lutheran University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Pacific Lutheran University is $19,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.