More selective than 71% of Washington colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
7% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 4% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose PLU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
PLU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, PLU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 540 | 660 |
| SAT math | 500 | 600 |
| ACT composite | 22 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1040 | 1260 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
PLU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 78% | 540–660 | 500–600 | 22–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 81% | 515–630 | 473–628 | 21–27 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is PLU compared with other Washington colleges?
PLU has the 6th-lowest acceptance rate of 18 Washington colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Whitman College | 38% | 81% | $33,313 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 39% | 85% | $14,091 |
| 4 | University of Puget Sound | 72% | 68% | $38,394 |
| 5 | Seattle University | 77% | 76% | $34,662 |
| 6 | Pacific Lutheran University | 78% | 69% | $19,589 |
| 7 | Gonzaga University | 82% | 86% | $35,119 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 83% | 63% | $10,163 |
| 9 | Northwest University | 83% | 71% | $22,288 |
| 10 | Seattle Pacific University | 83% | 62% | $24,488 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Washington colleges →
Who enrolls at PLU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
PLU admissions questions
What is the PLU acceptance rate?
Pacific Lutheran University accepts 78% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,333 of 4,139 applicants were admitted.
Does PLU require the SAT or ACT?
Pacific Lutheran University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 7% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for PLU?
The middle 50% of Pacific Lutheran University enrolled first-year students scored 1040–1260 on the SAT and 22–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at PLU?
19% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (624 of 3,333).
Is PLU getting harder to get into?
Pacific Lutheran University accepted 78% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 81% for Fall 2023.
Is PLU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Pacific Lutheran University overview