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Pacific Lutheran University

Apply for first-year
Pacific Lutheran University campus

PLU is the small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration - it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Our students aren’t afraid to do things differently to leave the world better than they found it.

We are a community of seekers, trailblazers, creators, and reformers who know that we can accomplish more together than apart. The PLU experience allows your ambition to blossom into purpose, your skills to sharpen into tools, and your caring to become a transformative force.

Accepts first-year applicationsWestPrivateSuburbanMedium (2,001 to 14,999)Co-Ed
Virtual Tour

Academic programs

  • Engineering
  • Science
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Communication
  • Music
  • Art & Design
  • Economics
  • Finance/Accounting
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Performing Arts
  • Social Science
  • Visual Arts
  • Psychology
  • Computer Science

Student experience

  • Athletics
  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Disability Services
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • Military/Veteran Services
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Religious Affiliation
  • ROTC Program
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

First-year

First Year applicants are high school seniors or students who have completed high school or a GED but not taken any college-level courses. Students participating in college-in-the-high-school programs like Washington’s Running Start or others must still complete a first year application, and are considered first-year with advanced standing. When reviewing applications, PLU computes a weighted GPA for IB, AP, Honors, or Accelerated courses, used in the admission, financial aid, and scholarship process. PLU is a test optional school and practices a holistic review of admission applications.

Transfer

You may apply as a transfer student if you have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent diploma, and seek to transfer college-level credit to PLU from regionally accredited colleges or universities. To be considered for transfer admission to PLU, you need a minimum college-level GPA of at least 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) and one year (30 semester or 45 quarter hours) of college level, academic coursework. If you wish to apply for admission with less than 30 semester hours of transferable credit, you must submit an official high school transcript or equivalent.

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Additional information

Financial Aid
100% of incoming PLU students don’t pay full cost, and the average student receives $38,953 in scholarships each year. PLU is ranked the #1 school in Washington and the #9 school in the U.S. for financial aid.

Scholarships
Academic scholarships range from $8,000-$32,000 per year. For students with a 3.8+ or higher weighted GPA, or a 1310+ SAT score, or a 28+ ACT score, we encourage them to apply by December 1 to be considered for our top academic and leadership PLU Presidential Scholarships. We also offer $1,000-$7,500 per year Artistic Achievement Scholarships, and are available in the areas of music, theatre, art, digital media and dance. Find details about all PLU scholarship opportunities at www.plu.edu/admission/scholarships.

Fixed Tuition Guarantee
The PLU Fixed Tuition Guarantee ensures that your cost of tuition will be locked in from your first day until your graduation day. This Fixed Tuition Guarantee, along with scholarships, financial aid, and other initiatives by PLU to reduce financial risk, allows students and families to better plan for college costs over time and avoid unexpected financial challenges. Find more information at www.plu.edu/tuition

Visit us

You’re invited to come see PLU! Tour campus with a current student guide, meet with your PLU admission counselor to learn more about applying and financial aid, sit in on a class, and eat lunch in our dining commons. We can further personalize your visit by helping you set up a meeting with a professor and/or athletics coach and an overnight stay in a residence hall with a current student. The easiest way to request an individualized visit is online at www.plu.edu/visit. Or, keep an eye out and RSVP for one of our big campus visit events!

"PLU is a strong, tight-knit community…it’s a place where you’re encouraged to grow, both academically and personally, while being surrounded by people who want to see you succeed.” LeBron S.