Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Pacific Lutheran University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 34% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 70th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WA wage index 1.18). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Pacific Lutheran University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $78,055 | $128,703 | +39% | #27 of 459 | #53 | $23,534 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $81,761 | $91,528 | +3% | #296 of 966 | #657 | $27,000 |
| Mathematics | — | $78,056 | +12% | #92 of 309 | #145 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,919 | $75,576 | +11% | #226 of 1176 | #423 | $20,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $41,518 | $69,366 | +10% | #127 of 565 | #211 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | — | $67,458 | +30% | #7 of 420 | #21 | $21,774 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $57,624 | $66,848 | +41% | #9 of 680 | #19 | $19,500 |
| Chemistry | $44,555 | $59,993 | -8% | #162 of 209 | #194 | $22,933 |
| Sociology | $35,317 | $59,853 | +14% | #82 of 462 | #145 | $20,825 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | — | $58,472 | -3% | #85 of 138 | #112 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $57,683 | — | — | — | — | $29,740 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,970 | $57,317 | +2% | #236 of 660 | #376 | $22,604 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $30,142 | $55,178 | -1% | #101 of 207 | #150 | $20,500 |
| Psychology | $30,757 | $55,118 | +9% | #246 of 1027 | #484 | $21,969 |
| Biology | $36,766 | $53,077 | -7% | #599 of 841 | #749 | $22,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,449 | $52,113 | -4% | #339 of 610 | #509 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $25,754 | $44,459 | +12% | #59 of 255 | #110 | $24,125 |
| Economics | $43,806 | — | — | — | — | — |
| History | — | $43,685 | -14% | #399 of 459 | #443 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,766 | $43,650 | +6% | #155 of 423 | #256 | $20,981 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $24,773 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Music | $17,711 | — | — | — | — | $26,525 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Pacific Lutheran University Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 98404 (3.6% cap, Tacoma)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
🏆 Where Pacific Lutheran University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $49,472 | $49,472 |
| Room | $5,920 | |
| Board | $7,086 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $66,837 | $66,837 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Pacific Lutheran University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran University?
How much does it cost to attend Pacific Lutheran University?
What is the graduation rate at Pacific Lutheran University?
Is Pacific Lutheran University a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Pacific Lutheran University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Pacific Lutheran University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Pacific Lutheran University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology