Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · 4-year
Pacific Lutheran University has a 80.5% acceptance rate. Pacific Lutheran University is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Tacoma, WA, with a median SAT of 1160 and a median ACT of 25. The average net price is $19,589 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
80.5%
4,139 applicants
1160
Combined score
25
Composite score
$19,589
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 988 | 1160 | 1260 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 21 | 25 | 27 |
0.7%
81.9%
N/A
2,401
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Pacific Lutheran University:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $13,609 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $12,948 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $15,756 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $22,535 |
| $110,000+ | $26,915 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 132 |
| Business, Management & Marketing | 58 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 48 |
| Social Sciences | 46 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 43 |
| Parks, Recreation & Fitness | 40 |
| Education | 35 |
| Physical Sciences | 30 |
| Communication & Journalism | 27 |
| Psychology | 24 |
Official website: https://www.plu.edu/
Admissions: https://www.plu.edu/admission/
Pacific Lutheran University has an acceptance rate of 80%. it received about 4,139 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1160; the average net price is $19,589 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Pacific Lutheran University for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Pacific Lutheran University is accessible for most qualified applicants — it admits 80% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1160. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Pacific Lutheran University for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University typically have a median SAT around 1160 and a median ACT around 25. With a 80% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Pacific Lutheran University is $19,589 per year after grants and scholarships. about 99% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $39,464 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Pacific Lutheran University has a graduation rate of 1%. its first-year retention rate is 82%. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Pacific Lutheran University against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Pacific Lutheran University is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1160. With a 80% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Pacific Lutheran University's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
Ames, IA · 89% acceptance
Athens, TN · 59% acceptance
Lakewood, NJ · 42% acceptance
Dahlonega, GA · 72% acceptance
Spartanburg, SC · 70% acceptance
Rock Hill, SC · 75% acceptance
Walla Walla, WA · 50% acceptance
Spokane, WA · 76% acceptance
Tacoma, WA · 76% acceptance
Bothell, WA · 92% acceptance
Seattle, WA · 76% acceptance
Spokane, WA · 87% acceptance
All 3,500+ universities · Most affordable colleges · Best value colleges · Test-optional colleges · Engineering programs · Computer science programs · Highest graduation rates · Compare planning tools
Check Your Admission Chances at Pacific Lutheran University — Free