Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pacific Lutheran University at a Glance
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington, United States. It was founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants in 1890. PLU is sponsored by the 580 congregations of Region I of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It has approximately 2,700 students enrolled. As of 2023, the school employs approximately 238 full-time professors on the 156-acre (63 ha) woodland campus.
1890
136 years old
$123M
$123.1 million
2,754
2,366 undergrad · 388 grad
340
156 acres
Identity
Is Pacific Lutheran University Worth It?
Pacific Lutheran University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $19,589/year, it's priced 4% below average, while graduates go on to earn $66,990 — 25% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Pacific Lutheran University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 133 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Pacific Lutheran University | 60 | $19,589 | $66,990 |
| #6 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Pacific Lutheran University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in WA.
Best Programs at Pacific Lutheran University
The highest-earning program at Pacific Lutheran University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $18,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Pacific Lutheran University earns $67,400, while a Music graduate earns $18,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,589/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,400 | $67,400 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $65,700 | $65,700 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,900 | $43,900 | $24,934 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,900 | $39,900 | $24,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,000 | $32,000 | $25,591 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,525 |
| Social Work | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,886 |
| Psychology, General | $29,900 | $29,900 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $29,700 | $29,700 | $22,236 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,375 |
| History | $24,600 | $24,600 | $25,000 |
| Anthropology | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $23,400 | $23,400 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,400 | $21,400 | $25,000 |
| Music | $18,200 | $18,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Tacoma, WA
- Student Body
- 2,401 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,589
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $66,990
- Median Student Debt
- $22,578