Academic Comparison between Bellingham Technical and PLU

Bellingham Technical College and Pacific Lutheran University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Bellingham Technical is a four-year, public school located in Bellingham, WA and PLU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Tacoma, WA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Bellingham Technical is a public and PLU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • PLU has more expensive tuition & fees ($50,916) than Bellingham Technical ($5,809).
  • PLU has more students with 2,797 students while Bellingham Technical has 2,047 students.
  • PLU has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Bellingham Technical's ratio is 24 to 1.
  • PLU has more full-time faculties with 176 faculties while Bellingham Technical has 70 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Bellingham Technical PLU
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Bellingham Technical Collegevs.Pacific Lutheran University
Bellingham, WashingtonLocationTacoma, Washington
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Associate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate'sCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$4,431
Out-Of-State$5,809
2025 Tuition & Fees$50,916
52%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$8,965Average Amount of Financial Aid$38,262
-Acceptance Rates78.02 %
-Yield (Enrollment Rates)14.12 %
-SAT Score1,160
-ACT Score25
42 %Graduation Rate69 %
17 %Transfer-out Rate24 %
-Retention Rate82 %
2,047Student Population2,797
70Number of Faculties176
24 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes)Special Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services