Pacific Lutheran University

Non-profit public

Public

Private

Regional

Based in Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University delivers 44 undergraduate programs and seven graduate and professional programs to 3,100 students annually. Undergraduate students can select from majors such as social work, Chinese studies, mathematics, and computer science. PLU also offers a communication degree that enables candidates to concentrate their studies on film and media studies, strategic communication, or communications and civic engagement. At the graduate level, degree programs covers fields such as nursing practice, creative writing, and marriage and family therapy. PLU delivers multiple master of education programs, including tracks leading to alternative teacher certification. In addition to affordable tuition, PLU offers a variety of funding opportunities, including the Rieke Leadership Scholarship for candidates with a history of promoting racial and ethnic diversity and social justice. Prospective freshman students submit an official application, a 250-word personal essay, official transcripts, and an academic recommendation. The university gives candidates the option to submit ACT or SAT scores.

Visit Site

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

56% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

93% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

82% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:	Required	High school transcript:	Required
High school rank:	Not required or recommended	Letter of recommendation:	Not required or recommended
High school GPA:	Required	Open admission:	No
Completion of college prep program:	Required	Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*:

ⓘ *This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

48k

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

11%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

20:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields	✕	✔	✕
2	Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences	✕	✔	✕
3	Architecture And Related Services	✔	✔	✔
4	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies	✔	✔	✔
5	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies	✔	✔	✔
6	Biological And Biomedical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
7	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services	✔	✔	✔
8	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
9	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services	✔	✔	✔
10	Education	✔	✔	✔
11	Engineering Technologies/Technicians	✕	✔	✔
12	Engineering	✔	✔	✔
13	Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians	✕	✔	✔
14	English Language And Literature/Letters	✔	✔	✔
15	Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences	✕	✕	✔
16	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics	✔	✔	✔
17	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
18	History	✔	✔	✔
19	Legal Professions And Studies	✔	✔	✔
20	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities	✔	✕	✕
21	Library Science	✕	✔	✕
22	Mathematics And Statistics	✔	✔	✔
23	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	✔	✔	✔
24	Natural Resources And Conservation	✔	✔	✔
25	Philosophy And Religious Studies	✔	✔	✔
26	Physical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
27	Psychology	✔	✔	✔
28	Public Administration And Social Service Professions	✔	✔	✔
29	Social Sciences	✔	✔	✔
30	Visual And Performing Arts	✔	✔	✔