Campus Identity
Pacific Lutheran University is a small private nonprofit university in Tacoma, WA. Approximately 2,401 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 47 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 31/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
At a Glance
Pacific Lutheran University is a small private nonprofit university in Tacoma, WA. Approximately 2,401 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 78% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 47 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 31/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Athletics
NCAA D3
Northwest
School Size & Setting
1,000–4,999
Suburban setting
Beach Access
81 miles
Westport, WA
Weather
Warm Climate
50°F avg school-year
Ski Town
Washington
Washington
Washington
Nearest Beach
Westport, WA
Ocean access within 80.6 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Tacoma, WA
Station: TACOMA NUMBER 1 · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $46,816 |
| Fees | $1,410 |
| Room & Board | $13,385 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $61,611 |
These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.
Calculate Your Net PriceFields of Study
61 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pacific Lutheran University located?
Pacific Lutheran University is located in Tacoma, WA. The main campus address is 12180 Park Ave South, Tacoma, WA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?
Pacific Lutheran University has an acceptance rate of 78%, making it accessible. Out of 4,992 applicants, 3,895 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,401 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Pacific Lutheran University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Pacific Lutheran University scored between 22 and 28 on the ACT, with a median of 25. About 2% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Pacific Lutheran University?
For the 2023–24 academic year, Pacific Lutheran University charges $46,816/year in tuition. Including room and board ($13,385/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $48,226/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Pacific Lutheran University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
Does Pacific Lutheran University have college sports?
Yes — Pacific Lutheran University competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Northwest. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is Pacific Lutheran University the right fit for me?
Whether Pacific Lutheran University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (78% admit rate), cost ($46,816/year out-of-state), campus culture in Tacoma, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Pacific Lutheran University against similar schools side-by-side.
Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Pacific Lutheran University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Tacoma, WA
- Size
- 1,000–4,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Northwest
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 50°F avg
- On Campus Safety Score
- 31/100
- Nearest Airport
- Tacoma, WA (TCM) · 2 mialso GRF (8 mi), TIW (11 mi)
Location
Tacoma, WA