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Pacific Lutheran University

Private

Tacoma, WA

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Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma, WA, is a private small school, enrolling around 2,401 students. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 78% of applicants get in. Its highest-earning reported major is Computer and Information Sciences, General (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $128,703/year four years out. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.

Admissions

Admit rate78%
SAT range1040–1260
ACT range22–28
Undergrads2,401
Yield (admits who enroll)18%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$62,459
4-year grad rate70%
Median earnings, 10yr out$66,990

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Pacific Lutheran University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans44%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out75%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$53,077/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business Administration, Management and Operations$75,576/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication and Media Studies$57,317/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer and Information Sciences, General$128,703/yr
Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$66,848/yr
Health Professions and Related Programs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$91,528/yr
History
History$43,685/yr
Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematics$78,056/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$55,178/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$52,113/yr
Physical Sciences
Chemistry$59,993/yr
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$58,472/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$55,118/yr
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Social Work$67,458/yr
Social Sciences
Political Science and Government$69,366/yr
Sociology$59,853/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$44,459/yr
Fine and Studio Arts$43,650/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity1,454
Typical room charge$5,142
Typical board charge$6,684

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pacific Lutheran University's acceptance rate?

Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA admits approximately 78% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Pacific Lutheran University?

Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University typically score between 1040–1260 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Pacific Lutheran University?

Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University typically score between 22–28 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost?

Pacific Lutheran University's total cost of attendance is reported at $62,459 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Pacific Lutheran University?

Pacific Lutheran University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Pacific Lutheran University require students to live on campus?

No -- Pacific Lutheran University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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