Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #686 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,084 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #807 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #686 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 53.5 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Tacoma, Washington, Pacific Lutheran University enrolls roughly 2,401 undergraduates. Retention is 81.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 68.6%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where Pacific Lutheran University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #686 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 53.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,671, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,084 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This earnings advantage reflects the institution's concentration in health professions and related fields, which align with strong regional labor-market demand and sustained career earnings growth. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Pacific Lutheran University sits in the 55.5 percentile for access and the 55.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 35.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 29.6% are first-generation college students, reflecting a student body with meaningful financial need. For families weighing long-term value, the institution's strong return on investment — anchored in health-field outcomes and earnings beyond expectations — positions it as a solid choice for students prioritizing post-graduation financial outcomes over lowest upfront cost.
Pacific Lutheran University's published cost of attendance is $62,459. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $13,609, middle-income families pay around $15,756, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,915. Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #640 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Pacific Lutheran University's financial aid program combines need-based grants, merit scholarships, and federal loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The gap between published cost and net price reflects institutional aid commitment; families should review the net price illusion to understand how sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost differ. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,578, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,671, median federal debt of $22,578 projects to a monthly payment of about $255 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Pacific Lutheran University is a strong fit for students interested in health fields who want a private university experience in WA, West. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,671, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,084 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 63.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 35.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 29.6% are first-generation — and delivers mobility outcomes that place Pacific Lutheran University in the 72.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions, a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 78.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Health fields, which represent 13% of degrees. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find strong earnings trajectories.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Pacific Lutheran University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Pacific Lutheran University's published cost of attendance is $62,459. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $13,609, middle-income families pay around $15,756, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,915.
Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #640 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Pacific Lutheran University's financial aid program combines need-based grants, merit scholarships, and federal loan options. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based aid, and the institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
The gap between published cost and net price reflects institutional aid commitment; families should review the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) to understand how sticker price and actual out-of-pocket cost differ. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,578, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $25,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,671, median federal debt of $22,578 projects to a monthly payment of about $255 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn median 4-year earnings of $63,671, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,084 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Pacific Lutheran University in the 63.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Pacific Lutheran University #686 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Pacific Lutheran University's concentration in health-related fields and applied professional programs.
Nursing is the largest program with 98 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $91,528, performing at 1.0× the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 80 students earning $75,576, while Kinesiology with 47 graduates earns $52,113.
Biology, General and $53,077 round out the top programs, with Psychology, General delivering $55,118 for 31 graduates. This program mix — anchored in Health — supports consistent outcomes across a cohort of students pursuing stable, in-demand career pathways.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
98 graduates
Mathematics
7 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
80 graduates
Political Science and Government
20 graduates
Social Work
8 graduates
Pacific Lutheran University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences—a portfolio shaped by the institution's mission-driven identity in the Pacific Northwest. Nursing is the largest program with 98 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Kinesiology, Biology, General, and Psychology, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 606 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional healthcare and professional-services demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in clinical and applied-health pathways.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $91,528 with 98 graduates, positioning this program among the institution's highest-earning fields. Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $75,576, and Political Science graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,366—both reflecting the strong labor-market demand for health-professions credentials in the Pacific Northwest.
Teacher Education and Communication and Media Studies round out the earnings leaders, with median 4-year earnings of $66,848 and $57,317 respectively. Most of Pacific Lutheran University's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly into stable, in-demand roles—particularly in nursing, healthcare administration, and applied social sciences.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's health-professions concentration aligns with regional and national labor-market demand. This focus positions Pacific Lutheran University as a pipeline into secure, well-compensated careers in sectors with sustained hiring and wage growth.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Similar quality tier (#19163 ranked) | IN | 96% | $55,362 | #19163 | Compare |
Saint Edward's University Similar quality tier (#19162 ranked) | TX | 81% | $58,826 | #19162 | Compare |
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Fajardo Similar quality tier (#19161 ranked) | PR | 27% | $23,132 | #19161 | Compare |
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Similar quality tier (#19159 ranked) | PR | 42% | $24,776 | #19159 | Compare |
Lawrence Technological University Similar quality tier (#19148 ranked) | MI | 56% | $69,151 | #19148 | Compare |
