Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Pacific Lutheran University
Set between Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, Pacific Lutheran University blends a quiet, tree-lined campus with a strong sense of purpose. It's known for thoughtful teaching across the arts and sciences, health-related fields, business, education, and environmental study. Students find well-equipped labs and studios, performance spaces, a lively library, and a true campus hub in the rec and wellness facilities. Advising, tutoring, counseling, and a practical career center stay close at hand.
Life here feels grounded and community minded. Lutes dive into music and theater, student media, service projects, and outdoor trips that start right after breakfast. The culture values reflection, inclusion, and rolling up your sleeves. Career prep leans on internships and mentoring across Tacoma and into the wider Puget Sound economy, with opportunities in hospitals, schools, nonprofits, and growing companies. And there's a distinctive Lutheran heritage that shows up in global awareness and annual service traditions.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) offers 44 degree programs across 20 major academic fields, graduating approximately 787 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (4 programs, 201 graduates), Business (3 programs, 90 graduates), Education (3 programs, 72 graduates), Social Sciences (5 programs, 52 graduates) and Arts (4 programs, 51 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (4 programs, 201 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 132 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 31 |
|
Master's
|
51.3820 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | 21 |
|
Master's
|
51.1505 |
| Nursing Practice | 17 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
Business (3 programs, 90 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 9 |
|
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Management Science | 2 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
Education (3 programs, 72 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 37 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Elementary Education | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Music Teacher Education | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1312 |
Social Sciences (5 programs, 52 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminology | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0401 |
| Political Science and Government | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Arts (4 programs, 51 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Arts, General | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Music | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Theatre Arts | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Art History and Conservation | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 44 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 41 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0505 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 1 |
|
Master's
|
31.0501 |
Physical Sciences (3 programs, 33 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0601 |
English (2 programs, 30 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Writing | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.1302 |
| English Language and Literature | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.0101 |
Psychology (1 programs, 28 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
How much does it cost to attend Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)?
The annual tuition at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is $50,272 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $66,145 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,446 and books and supplies $762.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Pacific Lutheran University offer?
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) offers 44 academic programs across 20 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Professional), Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (4 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (3 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (3 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Pacific Lutheran University?
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) has an 80.5% acceptance rate and a 18.7% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 4,139
- Students admitted: 3,333
- Students enrolled: 624
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Pacific Lutheran University?
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) provides financial aid to 23% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $39,464 and average loans of $7,220.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,331
- State/Local grants: $9,013
- Institutional grants: $33,257
- Federal loans: $5,096
The university supports 520 students with grants and 261 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Pacific Lutheran University graduates?
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) graduates earn a median salary of $52,212 after 6 years and $66,990 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $44,167 (25th percentile) to $88,955 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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