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Pacific Lutheran University
Most applicants get into Pacific Lutheran University — 78% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Pacific Lutheran University occupies suburban Tacoma, WA — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its Evangelical Lutheran Church affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $128,703 four years out. Faculty pay averages $102,972 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,401 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 81.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 988 and 1258 — below the WA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Pacific Lutheran University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Pacific Lutheran University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 988 and 1258; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 515 | 575 | 630 |
| SAT Math | 473 | 555 | 628 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Pacific Lutheran University received 4,139 applications and admitted 3,333 (80.5%), with 624 enrolling.
How Pacific Lutheran University compares
| Pacific Lutheran University | Washington median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 78% | 83.2% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $52,254 | $19,614 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $66,990 | $62,092 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Pacific Lutheran University student earns $66,990 — 8% above the Washington median of $62,092 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Pacific Lutheran University lists tuition at $52,254 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Pacific Lutheran University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $52,254 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Pacific Lutheran University enrolls 2,401 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Pacific Lutheran University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
68.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 31% don't — ask a Pacific Lutheran University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Pacific Lutheran University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $128,703 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $91,528 |
| Mathematics | $78,056 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,576 |
| Political Science and Government | $69,366 |
| Social Work | $67,458 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $66,848 |
| Chemistry | $59,993 |
| Sociology | $59,853 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $58,472 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,317 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,178 |
| Psychology, General | $55,118 |
| Biology, General | $53,077 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,113 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $44,459 |
| History | $43,685 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,650 |
Median earnings for these 18 Pacific Lutheran University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $66,990 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 22 additional Pacific Lutheran University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Pacific Lutheran University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 988–1258 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 78% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Pacific Lutheran University's acceptance rate?
80.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,333 admitted from 4,139 applicants.
How much does Pacific Lutheran University cost?
At Pacific Lutheran University, published tuition is $52,254 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Pacific Lutheran University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $66,990 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Washington
- Northwest University — 83.2% admitted
- University of Puget Sound — 72.3% admitted
- Seattle Pacific University — 83.4% admitted
- Seattle University — 76.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.