Pacific Lutheran University vs University of Portland
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and the University of Portland (UP) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. PLU, a private Lutheran university in Tacoma, Washington, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to UP's 67%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with PLU excelling in nursing, business, and education, while UP is known for its strong engineering, nursing, and business programs. PLU's student body is predominantly female (58%), while UP has a more balanced gender ratio. In terms of graduation rates, UP holds a slight edge over PLU, with a 79% graduation rate compared to PLU's 76%. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pacific Lutheran University |
![]() University of Portland |
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Overview |
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Location | Tacoma, Washington | Portland, Oregon |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 79.0% | 90.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.4% | 81.2% |
Application fees | $55 | $50 |
SAT range | 1150 - 1376 | 1165 - 1360 |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,220 | 12,044 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,846 | 9,778 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 510 | 911 |
Yield rate | 17.9% | 9.3% |
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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,563 | $63,438 |
Average net price | $23,568 | $35,535 |
Tuition | $46,816 | $49,424 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,330
Meal plan:
$6,481
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Room/dormitory:
$10,556
Meal plan:
$6,248
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
100.0%
Average amount $30,748 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,091 |
43.0%
Average amount $4,884 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $15,835 |
4.0%
Average amount $21,458 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,373
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
3,589
Men 38.0% Women 62.0% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 27.6% Women 72.4% |
444
Men 35.1% Women 64.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 69.7% |
International students | 1.3% | 3.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,369 | 2,166 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Oregon California Washington Hawaii Colorado |
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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 | 69.4% | 80.8% |
Dropout rate | 30.5% | 3.6% |
Transferred out | N/A | 15.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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