At $21,370/yr net price, Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn $66,990/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $32,990/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,370 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,480 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,990/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$32,990/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,578 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,847/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,035/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,653/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,898/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,289/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $92,632 | $82,634 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $23,534 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $68,875 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,064 | $39,150 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $54,053 | $34,896 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,556 | $20,750 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $46,087 | $72,057 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $45,082 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $44,551 | $29,740 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $19,500 |
The Risk Factor
71.0% of students at Pacific Lutheran University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Pacific Lutheran University gives you a solid but uneven financial return. Median debt of $22,578 is manageable against $66,990 median earnings a decade out, and a 71% grad rate means most people who start actually finish. The problem is which major you pick, because the spread here is wide.
Computer science and nursing are the two programs that pay. Both clear roughly $69,000, and Tacoma's proximity to Seattle's tech employers and the region's hospital systems means those graduates find work close to home. Nursing carries higher debt ($27,000), but the salary supports it. If you enroll to study either of these, the math works.
Business, teaching, and education programs are where the return weakens. Business administration graduates earn about $46,000, roughly $23,000 less than the CS grads at the same school. The two teacher education tracks sit near $44,000-$45,000, and one of them saddles you with nearly $30,000 in debt for that salary. Borrowing $29,740 to earn $44,551 is a bad trade. If you're headed into teaching here, keep your loans as low as you can.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 in family income, you pay around $13,000 a year. That jumps to roughly $24,900 in the $75k-$110k band and $29,289 above $110k, so middle and upper-income families carry close to the full private-school cost.
Enroll here for nursing or computer science and the numbers favor you, especially if your family income is under $48,000. If you're aiming at education or business, PLU only makes sense if you minimize debt, since the salaries won't leave much room. The 79% retention rate is decent but not a guarantee, so budget for the risk that you don't finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Lutheran University worth the cost?
Pacific Lutheran University offers decent value for students in nursing and computer science programs, with nursing graduates earning over $90,000 annually. However, with a 71% graduation rate and median earnings of $67,000 after 10 years, the ROI is average compared to other private colleges.
What are the highest paying majors at Pacific Lutheran University?
Nursing programs at Pacific Lutheran University lead in earnings with graduates making around $92,600 annually, followed by computer science at $69,300. Education majors earn significantly less at $54,000, which may make loan repayment challenging.
How much debt do Pacific Lutheran University graduates have?
Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median debt of $22,578, which is manageable for nursing and computer science majors but could strain graduates in lower-paying fields like education. The net price of $21,370 per year helps keep total debt relatively low.
Does Pacific Lutheran University have good financial aid?
Pacific Lutheran University's net price of $21,370 annually suggests decent financial aid packaging for a private college. This makes the school more accessible than many private institutions, though students should still carefully consider their major's earning potential.