Pacific Lutheran University
Wa · Private · 100% graduation rate
Pacific Lutheran University is a private university in Wa with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer Science (grade A), with median debt of $38K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $38K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Chemistry | $38K | $65K | $90K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $49K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Sociology | $44K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Criminology | $44K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $44K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $44K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $44K | $55K | $74K | C | BUY |
| International/Globalization Studies | $44K | $52K | $72K | C | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $44K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Psychology | $44K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| History | $47K | $50K | $68K | C | CAUTION |
| Romance Languages | $44K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44K | $45K | $60K | D | CAUTION |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44K | $42K | $58K | D | CAUTION |
| Social Work | $44K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Music | $47K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $47K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
Similar Schools in Wa
How Pacific Lutheran University Compares
Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median debt of $44K across tracked majors, which is $17K more than the private universities average of $27K. Year-1 earnings average $54K, about $2K below peers of the same type. Within Wa, the per-major debt average is $25K, so this school sits $20K above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 60 is 11 points below the private universities baseline (71). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Pacific Lutheran University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $38K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Pacific Lutheran University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Pacific Lutheran University. For example, Computer Science graduates have median debt of $38K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Science with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).