Pacific Lutheran University

Overview

English Name: Pacific Lutheran University

Acronyms: PLU

Founded: 1890

Control Type: Private

Entity Type: Non-profit

Religious Affiliation: Christian-Lutheran

Motto: Educating for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership and Care

Colours: Black and gold

Mascot: Knight

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Founded in 1890, the Pacific Lutheran University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Tacoma (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Washington.

Officially accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Lutheran religion. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 134-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

PLU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

The geographic and contact details below cover where Pacific Lutheran University is and how to reach its administrative offices. Campus emergency contact is typically distinct from general inquiries.

Academic Details

A snapshot of Pacific Lutheran University's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and the bodies recognising its work. Useful as a benchmark when comparing against peer institutions or national leaders.

Academic Structures

Pacific Lutheran University's teaching units laid out by faculty and school. Deep hierarchies (faculty to school to department) versus flat structures affect administrative complexity for students.

Programs Offered

Pacific Lutheran University's programme list, with search and degree-level grouping. Search matches programme names; if you don't see your subject, check the divisions section to locate the relevant faculty.

How to apply to Pacific Lutheran University

Practical steps to apply to Pacific Lutheran University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.

1. 1
   Identify the right programme

   Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Pacific Lutheran University offers 61 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

2. 2
   Check entry requirements

   Each programme at Pacific Lutheran University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

3. 3
   Prepare your application documents

   Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

4. 4
   Submit via the institution

   Apply directly via Pacific Lutheran University's online portal at www.plu.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

5. 5
   Get in touch with admissions

   After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (253) 535 7411. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pacific Lutheran University

Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Pacific Lutheran University as a study destination.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

These are the most highly ranked universities in the United States. Putting Pacific Lutheran University alongside them gives a clearer picture of where it sits in the national academic landscape, especially when reputation matters for credential portability.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Sabbatical exchange agreements among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) members create faculty mobility patterns. Students benefit indirectly through visiting-faculty courses and cross-institutional supervision arrangements.

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg · Public · Rank #21

Cornell University

Ithaca · Private · Rank #25

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

Duke University

Durham · Private · Rank #48

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Lutheran

Religious holiday observance and academic-calendar alignment at Christian-Lutheran universities typically reflect tradition rather than national norms. The peers below tend to follow Pacific Lutheran University in this respect.

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg · Private · Rank #4291

Muhlenberg College

Allentown · Private · Est. 1848

Newberry College

Newberry · Private · Est. 1856

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove · Private · Est. 1858

Capital University

Columbus · Private · Est. 1830

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Universities near Pacific Lutheran University often have cross-enrolment or visiting-student arrangements that let students take modules at the partner institution. Worth checking if subject coverage at Pacific Lutheran University is narrow in your area.

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma · Private · Est. 1888

University of Washington Tacoma

Tacoma · Public · Est. 1990

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma · Public · Est. 1965

FA

Faith International University & Seminary

Tacoma · Private · Est. 1969

BA

Bates Technical College

Tacoma · Public · Est. 1940

Where Else to Study Nursing

Practicum and placement requirements vary widely across Nursing programmes in the United States. Compulsory placements affect total time commitment but typically improve post-graduation employment outcomes.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill · Public · Rank #60

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis · Public · Rank #70

University of Florida

Gainesville · Public · Rank #71

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison · Public · Rank #75

University of California, Davis

Davis · Public · Rank #83

Universities Often Compared with Pacific Lutheran University

Application tier strategy benefits from including peer institutions to Pacific Lutheran University: safety, target, and reach picks within a comparable academic band keep your outcomes diversified.

Viterbo University

La Crosse · Private · Est. 1890

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon · Private · Est. 1890

Whitworth University

Spokane · Private · Est. 1890

Washington State University

Pullman · Public · Rank #433

Belmont University

Nashville · Private · Rank #4252