Pacific Lutheran University vs Gonzaga
Pacific Lutheran University and Gonzaga University, both esteemed institutions in the Pacific Northwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Pacific Lutheran University, a private Lutheran university in Tacoma, Washington, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 3,300 undergraduate students representing 48 states and 50 countries. Gonzaga University, a private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 68% and a smaller undergraduate population of 2,800 students, primarily from the Western United States. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate programs, Pacific Lutheran University is known for its strengths in the sciences, nursing, and business, while Gonzaga University excels in engineering, education, and nursing. With graduation rates of 78% and 80% respectively, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers or further education. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which
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![]() Gonzaga University |
![]() Pacific Lutheran University |
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Overview |
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Location | Spokane, Washington | Tacoma, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 79.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 76.2% | 88.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
$55 |
SAT range | 1210 - 1380 | 1150 - 1376 |
ACT range | 27 - 31 | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 21.0% | 11.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 18.0% | 6.0% |
Total number of applicants | 8,853 | 3,220 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,742 | 2,846 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,311 | 510 |
Yield rate | 19.4% | 17.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $64,356 | $63,563 |
Average net price | $35,529 | $23,568 |
Tuition | $47,560 | $46,816 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,922
Meal plan:
$6,520
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Room/dormitory:
$5,330
Meal plan:
$6,481
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,861 |
99.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
41.0%
Average amount $5,092 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,091 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $8,834 |
6.0%
Average amount $15,835 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,986
Men 45.8% Women 54.2% |
2,373
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
Graduate students |
2,395
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
333
Men 27.6% Women 72.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 58.4% | N/A |
International students | 2.8% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,010 | 1,369 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Washington California Oregon Colorado Arizona | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.1% | 69.4% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 30.5% |
Transferred out | 9.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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