[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is PLU to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. PLU's acceptance rate is 78.02% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 4,992 students applied and 3,895 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into PLU.
To apply to PLU, personal statement (or essay) is required to submit and recommendations is not required but considered. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered.
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, PLU's acceptance rate is 78.02% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 14.12%. 1,978 men and 2,885 women applied to PLU and 1,460 men and 2,330 women students were accepted.
129 applicants who has another gender applied and 105 were accepted.
Among them, 193 men and 334 women were enrolled in PLU. You can explore the PLU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 81 students (15% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 12 students (2% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at PLU.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,160, including 610 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 550 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 660 and the 25th percentile is 540. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 600 and the 25th percentile is 500.
The median ACT composite score is 25, with a 75th percentile score of 28 and a 25th percentile score of 22 at PLU. The median ACT Math score is 26 and the median ACT English score is 24.
How competitive is PLU's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Pacific Lutheran University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,130, ACT: 23 - private (not-for-profit) master's college and university with medium programs).
First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type
For the academic year 2024-25, total 550 first-year students enrolled in PLU. The proportion of full-time students is 99.64% and part-time students is 0.36%.
By gender, the proportion of men students is 35.09% and women students is 60.73%. 4.18% of students has another gender.
The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at PLU.
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at PLU. The english proficiency test is not considered.
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Pacific Lutheran University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to PLU:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: www.plu.edu/admission/
- Online Application: www.plu.edu/admission/first-year/
- Calendar System: Four-one-four plan
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Professional Practice)
PLU Admission Frequently Asked Questions
PLU is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 78.02%.
PLU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to PLU is 1,160, and the average ACT score is 25. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, PLU requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
PLU recommends submitting a recommendation letter, but it is not strictly required.
PLU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, PLU requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
PLU recommends submitting an English proficiency test for international applicants, but it is not strictly required.
The institutional SAT code for PLU is 4597 and 4-digit ACT code is 4470.