Pacific Lutheran: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Pacific Lutheran University · Tacoma, Washington · Private nonprofit · Open access
Ranked #106 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Business Programs #390 (tie), Nursing #195 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Is Pacific Lutheran a reach, target or safety for your student?
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Pacific Lutheran is a private nonprofit university in Tacoma, Washington that admits about 78% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $19,589 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 29.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Pacific Lutheran is a private institution located in Tacoma, Washington. For the most recent reporting cycle, Pacific Lutheran admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 78%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1168 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,589 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Pacific Lutheran?
Pacific Lutheran has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
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SAT and ACT scores Pacific Lutheran typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 632. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does Pacific Lutheran actually cost?
Published tuition is $52,254 for in-state students and $52,254 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,008 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,589 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 35% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,589 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Pacific Lutheran
The most popular undergraduate programs at Pacific Lutheran, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. Across all programs, Pacific Lutheran confers roughly 365 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $86,344 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 98 | $86,344 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 80 | $70,355 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 47 | $61,136 |
| Biology, General | 38 | $49,616 |
| Psychology, General | 31 | $52,603 |
| Computer Science | 26 | n/a |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 24 | $62,293 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 21 | $59,869 |
Is Pacific Lutheran safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Pacific Lutheran disclosed 71 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 29.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 7 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Common questions parents ask about Pacific Lutheran
What GPA do I need for Pacific Lutheran?
Pacific Lutheran has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Pacific Lutheran typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 632. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–28.
How much does Pacific Lutheran actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Pacific Lutheran after grants and scholarships is $19,589 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $52,254. Budget against the net figure.
Is Pacific Lutheran realistic for my child?
Pacific Lutheran admits 78% of applicants, so 500–600 SAT Math is target range and below 500 is a reach. Then check the $19,589 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Pacific Lutheran?
Pacific Lutheran accepts about 78% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Pacific Lutheran a public or private school, and where is it located?
Pacific Lutheran is a private nonprofit institution located in Tacoma, Washington.
What are the most popular majors at Pacific Lutheran?
The largest undergraduate majors at Pacific Lutheran by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. The school awards about 365 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Pacific Lutheran safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Pacific Lutheran reported 71 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 29.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers