Texas Christian University vs Pacific Lutheran University
Texas Christian University (TCU) and Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. TCU, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is a private research university with a vibrant campus and a diverse student body. PLU, situated in Tacoma, Washington, is a private liberal arts university known for its strong academic programs and commitment to community engagement. While both universities share a dedication to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pacific Lutheran University |
![]() Texas Christian University |
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Overview |
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Location | Tacoma, Washington | Fort Worth, Texas |
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% | 91.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Protestant |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.4% | 53.6% |
Application fees | $55 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1150 - 1376 | 1130 - 1350 |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | 17.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | 22.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,220 | 19,782 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,846 | 10,606 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 510 | 2,560 |
Yield rate | 17.9% | 24.1% |
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 | $70,428 |
Average net price | $23,568 | $42,574 |
Tuition | $46,816 | $51,570 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,330
Meal plan:
$6,481
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Room/dormitory:
$8,340
Meal plan:
$5,700
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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 |
81.0%
Average amount $29,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,091 |
27.0%
Average amount $5,339 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $15,835 |
10.0%
Average amount $27,820 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,373
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
10,222
Men 39.7% Women 60.3% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 27.6% Women 72.4% |
1,716
Men 40.4% Women 59.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 59.0% |
International students | 1.3% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,369 | 5,083 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Texas California Illinois Colorado Minnesota |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.4% | 82.8% |
Dropout rate | 30.5% | 2.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 14.2% |
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)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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