Cal State Fullerton vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or PLNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fullerton than PLNU ($7,064 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 28.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,650 vs. $19,080).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 519.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $38,780 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.4% higher at PLNU than at California State University Fullerton (about $26,180 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at California State University Fullerton (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 84.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($20,702 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or PLNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PLNU and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 180 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming PLNU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than PLNU (83.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Cal State Fullerton vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and PLNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.