PLU's tuition & fees has increased from $37,950 (2015) to $50,916 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 34.17% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $22,052 (year 2015) to $30,535 (year 2025).
The 2025 tuition & fees are lower than last year (2024) at Pacific Lutheran University.
PLU's tuition increase rate is higher than the Washington's average increase rate of 14.92%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 30.12% from 2015 ($51,838).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, PLU's COA is $67,454, which is increased by 0.92% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to PLU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 34.17% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $50,096. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Pacific Lutheran University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $785, and it has decreased -25.24% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,050 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $825 | -21.43% |
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| 2017-18 | $840 | 1.82% |
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| 2018-19 | $840 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $900 | 7.14% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $930 | 3.33% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $942 | 1.29% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $702 | -25.48% |
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| 2023-24 | $762 | 8.55% |
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| 2024-25 | $785 | 3.02% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 20.48% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 20.48% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Pacific Lutheran University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $12,838 | $12,838 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $13,033 | $13,033 | 1.52% |
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| 2017-18 | $13,238 | $13,238 | 1.57% |
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| 2018-19 | $13,508 | $13,238 | 2.04% |
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| 2019-20 | $13,684 | $13,684 | 1.30% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $14,030 | $14,030 | 2.53% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $14,395 | $14,395 | 2.60% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $14,274 | $14,274 | -0.84% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $15,111 | $15,111 | 5.86% |
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| 2024-25 | $15,753 | $15,753 | 4.25% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Pacific Lutheran University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Pacific Lutheran University | $50,916 | $50,272 | 1.28% |
|---|
|
| Gonzaga University | $55,480 | $53,500 | 3.70% |
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|
| Seattle University | $56,721 | $54,285 | 4.49% |
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|
| Whitworth University | $52,880 | $50,920 | 3.85% |
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|
| Seattle Pacific University | $40,407 | $38,814 | 4.10% |
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|
| City University of Seattle | $13,929 | $13,965 | -0.26% |
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