Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $62,459. College Scorecard.
Net price by family income
Average after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard, latest reported year
Sticker price, line by line
| Per year, living on campus | All students |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $52,254 |
| Housing & meals | $12,446 |
| Books & supplies | $762 |
| Personal & travel | $2,665 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$5,668 |
| Total cost of attendance | $62,459 |
Cost items: IPEDS 2023-24, on-campus budget. Total: College Scorecard, which averages students living on and off campus; the adjustment row reconciles the two.
Debt after graduation
College Scorecard; Urban Institute Education Data Portal
Who gets aid
College Scorecard
PLU net price compared with other Washington colleges
PLU has the 38th-lowest average net price of 50 Washington colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Avg. net price | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $14,091 | 85% | $78,466 |
| 35 | Heritage University | $14,598 | 54% | $49,416 |
| 36 | Washington State University | $14,971 | 61% | $68,905 |
| 37 | Central Washington University | $18,476 | 54% | $61,580 |
| 38 | Pacific Lutheran University | $19,589 | 69% | $66,990 |
| 39 | Western Washington University | $21,193 | 65% | $62,569 |
| 40 | Northwest University | $22,288 | 71% | $54,914 |
| 41 | Faith International University | $22,662 | 25% | $51,006 |
| 42 | Walla Walla University | $23,329 | 60% | $61,885 |
College Scorecard, latest year. Average for all aided students; your price depends on income. All Washington colleges →
Why PLU costs more or less than similar schools
| School | Acceptance | You'd pay | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs | Price gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Lutheran University | 78% | $19,589 | 69% | $66,990 | This school |
| University of Puget Sound | 72% | $38,394 | 68% | $69,594 | |
| Seattle Pacific University | 83% | $24,488 | 62% | $64,506 | |
| Seattle University | 77% | $34,662 | 76% | $75,272 | |
| Whitworth University | 90% | $26,534 | 71% | $58,561 |
College Scorecard, latest reported year. “You'd pay” follows your residency and income choices above.
Why the price is different
Pacific Lutheran University would cost you $18,805 less per year than University of Puget Sound, on average.
- Lower sticker price at Pacific Lutheran University, mostly from lower tuition & fees (−$10,644).
- Pacific Lutheran University gives aided families $2,886 more in grants, on average.
| Per year, Washington resident | PLU | University of Puget Sound | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $52,254 | $62,898 | −$10,644 |
| Books & supplies | $762 | $1,000 | −$238 |
| Housing & meals | $12,446 | $15,040 | −$2,594 |
| Personal & travel | $2,665 | $2,624 | +$41 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$5,668 | −$3,184 | −$2,484 |
| Sticker price | $62,459 | $78,378 | −$15,919 |
| Average grants | −$42,870 | −$39,984 | −$2,886 |
| You pay | $19,589 | $38,394 | −$18,805 |
“+” means PLU costs more; “−” means it costs less. Grants are the sticker price minus the net price. Cost items: IPEDS, on-campus budget. Sticker and net price: College Scorecard, latest reported year; the adjustment reconciles the two. Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote.
PLU cost questions
How much is tuition at PLU?
Tuition and fees are $52,254 a year.
What is the total cost of attending PLU?
The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, books and personal costs, is $62,459 a year.
What do families actually pay at PLU?
After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $19,589 a year on average. Families earning $0–30k pay $13,609; $48–75k pay $15,756; $110k+ pay $26,915.
How much debt do PLU graduates have?
The median federal loan debt at graduation is $17,074, and 2.7% of borrowers defaulted within three years of entering repayment (2017 cohort).
Is PLU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By). Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote; confirm with the school's net price calculator. Back to Pacific Lutheran University overview