Pacific Lutheran University's Student Population: How Many?

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington. It was founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants in 1890 and has since grown to accommodate thousands of students. As of 2023, the university has approximately 2,700 enrolled students and employs about 238 full-time professors on its 156-acre campus. PLU offers a range of academic programs and is committed to sustainability and environmental initiatives.

Pacific Lutheran University has around 2,900 students enrolled

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington, founded in 1890 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants. The university has around 2,900 students enrolled, with sources giving a range of 2,633 to 2,907. The gender distribution is approximately 36% to 38% male and 62% to 64% female.

The university's student population includes a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, with around 2,400 to 2,500 undergraduates and 259 graduate students. The university offers a range of academic programs, including the College of Health Professions, the College of Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Social Sciences, and the College of Natural Sciences.

PLU's campus is located in a suburban setting, covering 156 acres. The campus is home to academic and administration buildings, athletic facilities, residence halls, and other student amenities. The university offers a variety of housing options, with approximately half of the students living on campus and the rest living off-campus.

In terms of academics, PLU offers a wide range of degree programs. In 2022, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations were Registered Nursing, General Business Administration and Management, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science. The university also has a strong focus on civic engagement and encourages its students to study abroad, with half of its students choosing to do so.

PLU is committed to diversity and inclusivity, with a significant percentage of students of color and international students. The university also offers various financial aid options, with a high percentage of students receiving some form of financial support.

The student body is predominantly female (62% in 2022)

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a predominantly female institution. In 2022, 62% of its student body was female, a figure that rose to 64% in 2023 and 65.9% in 2022 when including all students, not just undergraduates. This is a notable increase from the 1940s when most men were fighting in World War II and the student body was almost all female.

The gender disparity is also reflected in the breakdown of degree recipients. In 2022, 249 more women than men received degrees from PLU. The most common female degree recipients were in the White Female category (295 degrees awarded), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (100 degrees). In contrast, the most common male degree recipients were White Male (162 degrees awarded), followed by Hispanic or Latino Male (68 degrees).

The gender imbalance at PLU is also evident in the housing situation, with the university's only single-sex hall on campus, Harstad Hall, being an all-female residence. This hall houses approximately 200 female residents and was built in 1894, making it the oldest building on campus.

The female-dominated population at PLU may be due to several factors, including the university's history and the types of programs offered. PLU was founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants in 1890 and has a strong connection to its Scandinavian roots. The university also offers a range of popular programs such as nursing, business administration, and kinesiology, which may attract more female than male students.

The university has a strong focus on civic engagement, with over 70% of students volunteering

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,393 students (as of Fall 2023). The university has a strong focus on civic engagement, with over 70% of students volunteering. This commitment to civic engagement is reflected in PLU's membership in The New American Colleges and Universities, a consortium of institutions dedicated to integrating liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement.

PLU's dedication to civic engagement is also evident in its academic programs and curriculum. The university offers a wide range of majors and minors across various disciplines, including popular programs such as business administration, nursing, and kinesiology. In addition, PLU encourages its students to engage with the wider community through volunteering, service, and study abroad opportunities.

The university's focus on civic engagement extends beyond the classroom as well. PLU offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletic teams, clubs, and organizations that provide students with opportunities to engage with their community. The university is also committed to sustainability and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.

Furthermore, PLU's history and values are deeply rooted in civic engagement. Founded in 1890 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants, the university has a long-standing tradition of educating students for service. The founding pioneers wanted the institution to help immigrants adjust to their new lives and find jobs, while also producing graduates who would serve their communities and churches. This legacy of service and engagement continues to be a core value of the university.

Overall, Pacific Lutheran University's strong focus on civic engagement is evident in its academic programs, extracurricular activities, and institutional values. With over 70% of students volunteering, the university fosters a culture of community involvement and social responsibility, encouraging students to make a positive impact both during their time at PLU and beyond.

The most popular degree programmes include nursing, business administration and kinesiology

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private institution based in Tacoma, Washington. It was founded in 1890 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,393 students as of Fall 2023. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and the school has a 52.5% share of classes with fewer than 20 students.

The university offers almost 40 majors, with popular programs including nursing, business administration, and kinesiology. The nursing program ranks #218 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. The business administration and management program is also ranked #25 in Regional Universities West.

The nursing program at PLU prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including biology, chemistry, and health assessment. The business administration and management program offers courses in areas such as accounting, economics, and business law. The program also provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships and projects with local businesses.

The kinesiology program, often referred to as exercise science, focuses on the scientific study of human movement and physical activity. Students in this program learn about anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. They also have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world settings through internships and research projects. The kinesiology program at PLU has been recognised as one of the best in the country, and the university is ranked among the Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America.

The university has a history of Scandinavian influence and traditions

Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) is a private Lutheran university in Parkland, Washington, founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants in 1890. The university has a rich history of Scandinavian influence and traditions, which are still evident today.

The university was originally named Pacific Lutheran Academy and was established to help immigrants adjust to their new lives in America, as well as to produce graduates who would serve the church and community. Education was a fundamental part of the Scandinavian traditions from which the founders came, and this legacy is reflected in PLU's commitment to academic excellence and service.

The Scandinavian Cultural Center at PLU is a testament to the university's Nordic heritage. The Center hosts a variety of events and programs that celebrate Nordic and Nordic-American cultures, including musical concerts, lectures, films, language instruction, and classes in Scandinavian folk art and Nordic cuisine. Annual traditions at the Center include the Swedish Sankta Lucia Fest, Norwegian Julegudstjeneste (Christmas Service), the Nordic Christmas Fest, and the Norwegian Heritage Festival. These events are open to the public and have become beloved traditions for the PLU community and the Tacoma-Seattle area.

PLU's connection to its Scandinavian roots is further strengthened by its academic offerings. The university offers courses in Scandinavian folk art and Nordic cuisine, as well as language instruction in Norwegian, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. PLU also has a strong international focus, with nearly 50% of students studying abroad and the university maintaining partnerships with institutions worldwide.

The influence of Scandinavian traditions at PLU extends beyond the cultural and academic realms. The university's first president, Bjug Harstad, was a Norwegian immigrant, and the entire university was housed in a building now named Harstad Hall in his honour. Additionally, several other buildings on campus are named after notable figures in PLU's Scandinavian history, such as Nils Joseph Hong, Berent and Ragna Hinderlie, and Ola J. Ordal.

Throughout the years, PLU has also hosted several members of Scandinavian royalty, including King Olav V of Norway, King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Princess Astrid of Norway. In recognition of its Scandinavian heritage, PLU was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by King Harald V of Norway in 2015.

Today, PLU continues to honour its Scandinavian influence and traditions, fostering a community that values education, service, and cultural celebration. The university's Scandinavian Cultural Center, academic programs, and commitment to international engagement reflect the enduring legacy of its Norwegian Lutheran founders.

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