Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) vs. University of Portland (UP) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to PLU or University of Portland (UP)?“
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
University of Portland (UP)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and University of Portland (UP). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and University of Portland (UP)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and University of Portland (UP). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) | University of Portland (UP) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $37,950 | $42,288 |
| Net Price | $24,797 | $32,217 |
| Average Financial Aid | $22,725 | $22,413 |
| Total Undergraduates | 2809 | 3741 |
| Average SAT Scores | 980 - 1230 | 1090 - 1300 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76 | 62 |
| Location | 12180 Park Ave South | 5000 N Willamette Blvd |
| City Name | Tacoma | Portland |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Tacoma and Portland. PLU is in a Mountain and University of Portland (UP) is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) or University of Portland (UP) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Portland (UP) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Portland (UP) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do PLU Dorms Compare to housing Options at University of Portland (UP)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. PLU charges for on-campus living, while University of Portland (UP) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
PLU and University of Portland (UP) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), % | University of Portland (UP),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 67.5 | 60.79 |
| Hispanic | 7.969999999999999 | 11.07 |
| Black | 2.56 | 1.2 |
| Foreign | 4.02 | 3.0700000000000003 |
| Others | 17 | 23.9 |
How different is the Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) campus compared to University of Portland (UP) campus?
The PLU campus is located in Tacoma, WA and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more). The University of Portland (UP) campus is located in Portland, OR and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
PLU provides $22,725 whereas University of Portland (UP) provides an average of $22,413.
How does PLU academics compare to University of Portland (UP)?
When analyzing academics between Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) and University of Portland (UP) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | PLU | University of Portland (UP) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | 17 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 6 | 2 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 37 | 41 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 28 | 27 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 3 | 86 |
| Education | 33 | 31 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) or University of Portland (UP)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between PLU and University of Portland (UP). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does PLU social life compare to University of Portland (UP)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how PLU social life differs from University of Portland (UP).
Check here.
Check here.