Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private ELCA Lutheran university founded in 1890 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants, located in Parkland — a suburb 6 miles south of Tacoma and approximately 35 miles south of Seattle. Set on a 156-acre woodland campus, PLU emphasizes a vocation-driven liberal arts education preparing students for purposeful careers and community engagement. The university is organized into four colleges: the College of Health Professions (with a strong CCNE-accredited nursing school), College of Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Social Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Professional Studies (business and education). PLU is ranked #28 in Regional Universities West (U.S. News 2026) and reports $66,990 median earnings 10 years after enrollment. A unique Fixed Tuition Guarantee locks in tuition for the duration of undergraduate study. International students (~85, approximately 3.5% of undergrad enrollment) are supported by the ISS office and the Wang Center for Global and Community Engaged Education. Context: PLU enrollment has declined from ~3,700 (mid-2000s) to ~2,800 today; 36 faculty positions were cut in 2021. NWCCU accreditation remains in good standing with no sanctions as of April 2025 review.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$53831
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $52,254
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
