Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Pacific Lutheran University is a private regional university located in Tacoma, Washington. Pacific Lutheran University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Pacific Lutheran University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $57,049 10 years after enrolling, 11th in Washington, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Pacific Lutheran University bachelor students earn 1% less than the national average. Pacific Lutheran University is ranked 11th in Washington.
Pacific Lutheran University’s median net annual cost of $23,024 and average years to graduate of 4.2 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Pacific Lutheran University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Business Administration, Biology, Health & Fitness, Education, Comms & Media Studies - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$23,024
Average years to graduate
4.2
Computer science
Rank: #129
Economic score: 1.84
Geosciences
Rank: #42
Economic score: 3.63
Sociology
Rank: #85
Economic score: 4.22
Education (subject specific)
Rank: #176
Economic score: 5.58
Mathematics
Rank: #250
Economic score: 7.15
Psychology
Rank: #449
Economic score: 8.9
Chemistry
Rank: #196
Economic score: 16.73
Social Work
Rank: #281
Economic score: 20.06
Rhetoric & Composition
Rank: #65
Economic score: 29.7
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #303
Economic score: 183.37
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 5 graduate programs at Pacific Lutheran University - Education, Business Administration, Registered Nursing, Mental & Social Health Services, Rhetoric & Composition - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.2 years. 70% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Pacific Lutheran University is 12% higher than the state average, and 13% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Pacific Lutheran University, Pell Grant recipients represent 32% of the measured graduating class, 3% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Pacific Lutheran University graduates within 4.2 years.
Pacific Lutheran University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Pacific Lutheran University’s economic mobility score of 23.39 is calculated by adjusting the 2.3 economic score of lower-income students by the 32% pell grant recipients within the student body. Pacific Lutheran University’s EMS of 23.39 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Pacific Lutheran University pays $23,024 a year, $38,786 less than the $61,810 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $23,024
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Pacific Lutheran University, 99% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $23,024 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 47% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,921. This is 7% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,091
Pell grants
$4,892
State grants
$8,499
Institutional grants
$28,979
Pacific Lutheran University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 88% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 3,220 applicants, of which 2,846 were admitted and 510 enrolled. Pacific Lutheran University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
99%
83%
Female
65%
59%
First time
68%
59%
In-state
76%
68%
1st generation
30%
35%
White
56%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
14%
15%
Asian
11%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
1%
0.3%
Other
14%
12%