PLU Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

Pacific Lutheran University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is 88.39%. This means that 88 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as PLU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.

Pacific Lutheran University Admission Requirements

PLU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at PLU is 3.7. It means that PLU is very selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 3.7, PLU requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have good chances of admission. A couple of B's will not hurt you much, but more B's will put you in the lower category of the students. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 3.7 and higher than 3.4 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 3.3 GPA, to secure admission at PLU. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into PLU Without SAT Or ACT?: Pacific Lutheran University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, but does not require them. Although, it is not strictly a requirement, but the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Pacific Lutheran University Average SAT Score: 1247
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University is a 1247 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it slightly competetive for SAT test scores. You need to well to score 1247 on SAT
If your score is lower than 1150, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at PLU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1150
SAT 75th Percentile: 1376

It means that if you have scored less than 1150 then you are below the most of the admitted students at PLU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1376 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250

Can I get into Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) with a 1400 SAT?.

With 1400 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) are good but the admission staff at PLU tests your all round personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 25. This score makes Pacific Lutheran University slightly competetive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 25 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 22
ACT 75th Percentile: 28

Can I get into Pacific Lutheran University with a 28 ACT?

With 28 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Pacific Lutheran University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round personality and your academics. your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in same range, then it is better to send ACT Score, as in case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 25.

PLU Profile

Name: Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)

City: Tacoma

URL: www.plu.edu/

State: Washington

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 98447-0003

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How much a degree from PLU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Pacific Lutheran University is USD: 57587. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at Pacific Lutheran University is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

32.43% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 46.89 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to PLU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Pacific Lutheran University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist PLU as your choice in the form.

How much a PLU Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the PLU graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 60932. An average PLU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834

Degree Programs

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by Pacific Lutheran University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.