PLNU vs. Clarkson

Point Loma Nazarene University and Clarkson University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Point Loma Nazarene University
Clarkson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Clarkson (77.4% admitted vs 83.7%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Clarkson. Average net price is $32,406 vs $39,696 at PLNU.
  • Graduation: PLNU 72% vs Clarkson 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: PLNU $53,500 vs Clarkson $70,800 (median).
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Key differences

Point Loma Nazarene University Clarkson University
Acceptance rate
Clarkson more selective
PLNU83.7%
Clarkson77.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Clarkson higher
PLNU1175-1365
Clarkson1200-1390
Average net price
Clarkson $7,290 less
PLNU$39,696
Clarkson$32,406
In-state tuition
PLNU $13,148 less
PLNU$46,250
Clarkson$59,398
Out-of-state tuition
PLNU $13,148 less
PLNU$46,250
Clarkson$59,398
Graduation rate
PLNU +0 pts
PLNU72%
Clarkson72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Clarkson +$17,300
PLNU$53,500
Clarkson$70,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • PLNU 3,265
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • PLNU 2,732
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance rate
  • PLNU 83.7%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • PLNU 21.4%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • PLNU 1270
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • PLNU 28
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • PLNU 3.65
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical high school grades
  • PLNU A-
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • PLNU Very High
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • PLNU
  • Clarkson
  • SAT range
  • PLNU 1175-1365
  • Clarkson 1200-1390
  • ACT range
  • PLNU 25-32
  • Clarkson 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • PLNU Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • PLNU Feb 15, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & board
  • PLNU $13,650
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average net price
  • PLNU $39,696
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average grant aid
  • PLNU $20,702
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % receiving grant aid
  • PLNU 94%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • PLNU 72%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • PLNU $53,500
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • PLNU 79%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • PLNU $25,000
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • PLNU $258
  • Clarkson $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • PLNU 13:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • PLNU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Location
  • PLNU San Diego, CA
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • PLNU Large City
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • PLNU 4,757
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • PLNU Private 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • PLNU #250
  • Clarkson #189

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 3,348 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 25.2% lower than at Clarkson University ($13,650 vs. $18,252).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at Clarkson than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $13,148 more per year; $59,398 vs. $46,250).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 124.8% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($46,528 vs. $20,702).

Admissions details

  • Incoming PLNU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at Clarkson (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both PLNU and Clarkson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Clarkson average a 3.8 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at PLNU (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Point Loma Nazarene University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, PLNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 79%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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