Pacific Lutheran University Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$52,254
Out-of-State Tuition$52,254
Acceptance Rate78%
Average SAT1168

Pacific Lutheran University vs. State and National Averages

Pacific Lutheran UniversityWA AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$52,254$15,340$18,082
vs. average—+241%+189%

Other colleges in Tacoma

CollegeTypeUndergraduatesTuition
University of Puget SoundPrivate nonprofit1,594$62,898
Northwest College of Art & DesignPrivate for-profit139$18,100
University of Washington-Tacoma CampusPublic4,185$13,168
Faith International UniversityPrivate nonprofit276$8,850
Bates Technical CollegePublic1,813$6,027

Tuition shown is in-state tuition for schools that report one, otherwise the published tuition for the school's largest program. Source: College Scorecard.

Outcomes and student profile at Pacific Lutheran University

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$66,990
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)69%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$22,578
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants35%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over9%
First-generation students30%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at Pacific Lutheran University?

In-state tuition at Pacific Lutheran University is $52,254 and out-of-state tuition is $52,254, according to College Scorecard data.

What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?

The acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University is 78%.

How hard is it to get into Pacific Lutheran University?

With an acceptance rate of 78%, Pacific Lutheran University is moderately selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for Pacific Lutheran University?

The average SAT score for admitted students at Pacific Lutheran University is 1168.

How big is Pacific Lutheran University?

Pacific Lutheran University enrolls about 2,401 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 12:1.

Is Pacific Lutheran University expensive?

In-state tuition at Pacific Lutheran University is $52,254, which is 241% above the WA average of $15,340.

How much do graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn?

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at Pacific Lutheran University are $66,990 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at Pacific Lutheran University take on?

The median debt among Pacific Lutheran University graduates who borrowed is $22,578, according to College Scorecard.