Seattle University vs Pacific Lutheran University: which has better ROI?
Pacific Lutheran University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,356 in 4.2 years versus 5.2 years at Seattle University, on median earnings of $66,990 vs $75,272 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Seattle University | Pacific Lutheran University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,662 | $19,589 |
| Total net cost | $138,648 | $78,356 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,272 | $66,990 |
| Median debt | $19,883 | $22,578 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $399,592 | $294,244 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Seattle University or Pacific Lutheran University?
Pacific Lutheran University, at $19,589 a year after aid versus $34,662 — a gap of $15,073 a year, or $60,292 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Seattle University or Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn more?
Seattle University graduates report a median $75,272 ten years after entry, $8,282 more than the $66,990 at Pacific Lutheran University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Seattle University or Pacific Lutheran University?
Seattle University: its completers carry a median $19,883 in federal loans versus $22,578 at Pacific Lutheran University, a difference of $2,695. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Seattle University, against 69% at Pacific Lutheran University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.