Saint Mary's College of California vs Pacific Lutheran University
Saint Mary's College of California and Pacific Lutheran University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Saint Mary's, a private Catholic college in Moraga, California, boasts a 75% acceptance rate and a diverse student body, with 40% identifying as students of color. Pacific Lutheran University, a private Lutheran university in Tacoma, Washington, has a slightly lower acceptance rate of 70% and a student body that is predominantly White (75%). While Saint Mary's excels in liberal arts and sciences, Pacific Lutheran University shines in nursing, business, and education. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Saint Mary's at 79% and Pacific Lutheran University at 77%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pacific Lutheran University |
![]() Saint Mary's College of California |
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Overview |
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Location | Tacoma, Washington | Moraga, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 79.0% | 88.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.4% | 70.1% |
Application fees | $55 |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1150 - 1376 | N/A |
ACT range | 22 - 28 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 11.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,220 | 3,523 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,846 | 2,469 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 510 | 421 |
Yield rate | 17.9% | 17.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $63,563 | $71,116 |
Average net price | $23,568 | $25,022 |
Tuition | $46,816 | $51,568 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,330
Meal plan:
$6,481
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$16,300 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
100.0%
Average amount $37,096 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $5,091 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,473 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $15,835 |
3.0%
Average amount $19,233 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,373
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
2,199
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
Graduate students |
333
Men 27.6% Women 72.4% |
966
Men 35.5% Women 64.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 13.9% |
International students | 1.3% | 2.9% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,369 | 1,522 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Washington Colorado Oregon Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.4% | 73.1% |
Dropout rate | 30.5% | 26.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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