Introducing PLU’s Class of 2030
By Britt Board
Assistant Director of Communications
PLU is getting ready to welcome the Class of 2030 — 617 new students bringing their own interests, experiences, and ambitions to campus.
This fall, 508 first-year students and 109 transfer students will arrive from across Washington, the country, and the world. They join PLU following a record year of interest, with 5,761 first-year applications — the most in university history.
Academic Excellence
is the average high school GPA
Athletic Talent
are NCAA Division III student-athletes
First-Gen Pride
are first-generation college students
Diverse Perspectives
identify as students of color
Access & Opportunity
of first-year students received the 253 PLU Bound Scholarship
Growing Community
new undergraduate students
Top majors for the Class of 2030
This year’s most popular majors of interest reflect a mix of PLU’s longstanding strengths in healthcare, business and the sciences, along with programs that prepare students to turn their interests and talents into meaningful careers.
The top five majors of interest among first-year students are:
Coming to PLU from near and far
Students in the incoming class represent 16 states and ten countries. International students are joining the PLU community from Norway, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, France, Brazil, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and India.
For many students, though, one of PLU’s biggest draws is being close to home while still getting the chance to build a new community and experience.
In PLU’s first-year enrollment survey, location and proximity to home was the most frequently cited reason students chose PLU, followed closely by financial aid and scholarships. Other top reasons included campus visits, the 253 PLU Bound Scholarship, and the strength and reputation of PLU’s academic programs.
This class reflects so much of what we hope to make possible at PLU. Students are finding a university where they can stay connected to the people and places that matter to them while opening the door to something new. They’re choosing PLU because they see strong academic programs, meaningful financial support, and a community where they can feel supported.
Expanding pathways to PLU
This incoming class also reflects PLU’s continued investment in making a private university education more accessible to students throughout the region.
This year, 40% of incoming first-year students received the 253 PLU Bound Scholarship, while 21% enrolled through PLU’s Automatic Admission Partnership with Washington high schools.
What’s new at PLU this year
The Class of 2030 arrives to new programs, new leadership, and major updates to a key learning space on campus.
A transformed Rieke Science Center: PLU has completed its $11.6 million renovation of the Rieke Science Center, with updated chemistry and physics labs, flexible classrooms, and collaborative spaces designed to expand hands-on learning and undergraduate research.
New academic pathways: New opportunities include a B.S. in Earth & Environmental Science, B.S. in Music Therapy, 3+3 accelerated law pathway program in partnership with Gonzaga University, and a new Master of Education (M.Ed.) program.
New leadership in the School of Business: Dr. Woojun Lee joins PLU as the new dean of the School of Business, bringing a focus on innovation, industry partnerships and preparing students for a rapidly changing marketplace.