Eastern Mennonite University vs Pacific University
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Pacific University (PU) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. EMU, a private liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is rooted in the Anabaptist tradition and emphasizes service and peacebuilding. PU, a private comprehensive university in Forest Grove, Oregon, is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs and its commitment to sustainability. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comparison table below to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Eastern Mennonite University |
![]() Pacific University |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Forest Grove, Oregon |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 77.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Anabaptists | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.2% | 91.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$39
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SAT range | 1040 - 1590 | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | 25 - 34 | 19 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 4.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,090 | 2,266 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,038 | 2,063 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 208 | 363 |
Yield rate | 20.0% | 17.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,800 | $62,348 |
Average net price | $23,936 | $33,523 |
Tuition | $39,620 | $48,928 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,880
Meal plan:
$5,020
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Room/dormitory:
$7,664
Meal plan:
$6,228
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
93.0%
Average amount $29,014 |
96.0%
Average amount $31,162 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,310 |
90.0%
Average amount $5,415 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $12,604 |
10.0%
Average amount $20,429 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
958
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
1,741
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
Graduate students |
384
Men 20.8% Women 79.2% |
2,010
Men 26.2% Women 73.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 34.2% | 61.2% |
International students | 3.9% | 3.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 672 | 1,029 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Pennsylvania Indiana Ohio Maryland | Oregon Hawaii California Washington Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.1% | 70.8% |
Dropout rate | 19.3% | 29.0% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Optometry (Doctoral Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
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