2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$23,568
Net Price
88%
Admitted
18%
Enrolled
69%
Graduation Rate
11/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Pacific Lutheran University
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 2,706. In 2021, there were 57 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #9 in Washington and ranks #420 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master
Psychology Graduates
57
Total Enrollment
2,706
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Ranking for Pacific Lutheran University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Washington Rank
Combining ranking factors for 22 schools that offer psychology degrees in Washington, Pacific Lutheran University ranks #9.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Pacific Lutheran University ranks #420.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Pacific Lutheran University offers General Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Marriage and Family Therapy.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA |
| General Psychology | 22 | – |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 21 |
| Social Work | 14 | – |
| Total Graduates | 36 | 21 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 3,220 students applied to the Pacific Lutheran University. The university admitted 88% and 18% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Washington universities is 8,323. On average, all Washington institutions admit 84% and 25% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Pacific Lutheran University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 79%. Compared to all Washington four or more years colleges, the percentage is 79%.
The overall graduation rate for Pacific Lutheran University is 69%, compared to 64% for all Washington universities.
Compare PLU to Washington Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Pacific Lutheran University to the average of all Washington four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
PLU
3,220
Applicants
88%
Percent Admitted
18%
Percent Enrolled
79%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
WA Colleges
8,323
Applicants
84%
Percent Admitted
25%
Percent Enrolled
79%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
64%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 189 or 63% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 112 or 37% part-time faculty members employed at Pacific Lutheran University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 189 or 63%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
PLU
11 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
63%
Percent Full-Time
37%
Percent Part-Time
63%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
WA Colleges
13 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
49%
Percent Full-Time
51%
Percent Part-Time
47%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Pacific Lutheran University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $46,816, and the average cost for books and supplies is $942.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $29,084 and the average cost for graduate fees is $600.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Pacific Lutheran University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Pacific Lutheran University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $11,482 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,913 |
| Total Living Expenses | $14,395 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $46,816 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $942 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $62,153 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $29,084 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $600 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $29,684 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Pacific Lutheran University is $23,568. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare Pacific Lutheran University to all Washington universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
PLU
$62,153
Cost to Attend
$31,002
Average Financial Aid
99%
Percent Receiving Aid
$23,568
Net Price
WA Colleges
$36,045
Cost to Attend
$15,226
Average Financial Aid
80%
Percent Receiving Aid
$18,576
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 580 or 99%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 2,455 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $31,002.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 2,455 | $31,002 |
| Pell Grants | 825 | $4,892 |
| Federal Student Loans | 1,193 | $10,201 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Pacific Lutheran University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
PLU
2,455
Grant or Scholarship Aid
55%
Grants or Scholarships
825
Number of Pell Grants
18%
Pell Grants
1,193
Federal Student Loans
27%
Federal Student Loans
WA Colleges
3,187
Grant or Scholarship Aid
53%
Grants or Scholarships
1,312
Number of Pell Grants
22%
Pell Grants
1,511
Federal Student Loans
25%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Washington.
