PLNU vs. Drake

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

Point Loma Nazarene University
Drake University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Drake (63.9% admitted vs 83.7%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drake. Average net price is $29,565 vs $39,696 at PLNU.
  • Graduation: PLNU 72% vs Drake 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: PLNU $53,500 vs Drake $68,500 (median).
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Key differences

Point Loma Nazarene University Drake University
Acceptance rate
Drake more selective
PLNU83.7%
Drake63.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
PLNU higher
PLNU1175-1365
Drake1110-1350
Average net price
Drake $10,131 less
PLNU$39,696
Drake$29,565
In-state tuition
PLNU $5,880 less
PLNU$46,250
Drake$52,130
Out-of-state tuition
PLNU $5,880 less
PLNU$46,250
Drake$52,130
Graduation rate
Drake +3 pts
PLNU72%
Drake75%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drake +$15,000
PLNU$53,500
Drake$68,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • PLNU 3,265
  • Drake 9,873
  • Admitted
  • PLNU 2,732
  • Drake 6,304
  • Acceptance rate
  • PLNU 83.7%
  • Drake 63.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • PLNU 21.4%
  • Drake 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • PLNU 1270
  • Drake 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • PLNU 28
  • Drake 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • PLNU 3.65
  • Drake 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • PLNU A-
  • Drake A-
  • Admissions standards
  • PLNU Very High
  • Drake Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • PLNU
  • Drake Low
  • SAT range
  • PLNU 1175-1365
  • Drake 1110-1350
  • ACT range
  • PLNU 25-32
  • Drake 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • PLNU Test optional
  • Drake Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • PLNU Feb 15, 2027
  • Drake
  • Tuition (in state)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Drake $52,130
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Drake $52,130
  • Room & board
  • PLNU $13,650
  • Drake $12,452
  • Average net price
  • PLNU $39,696
  • Drake $29,565
  • Average grant aid
  • PLNU $20,702
  • Drake $35,498
  • % receiving grant aid
  • PLNU 94%
  • Drake 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • PLNU 72%
  • Drake 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • PLNU $53,500
  • Drake $68,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • PLNU 79%
  • Drake 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • PLNU $25,000
  • Drake $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • PLNU $258
  • Drake $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • PLNU 13:1
  • Drake 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • PLNU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Drake
    • Business (39%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Location
  • PLNU San Diego, CA
  • Drake Des Moines, IA
  • Setting
  • PLNU Large City
  • Drake Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • PLNU 4,757
  • Drake 4,345
  • Type
  • PLNU Private 4 Year
  • Drake Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • PLNU #250
  • Drake #160

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with Drake University in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Drake based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 4,345 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
  • Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Drake University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drake University are 8.8% lower than at Point Loma Nazarene University ($12,452 vs. $13,650).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.7% higher at Drake than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $5,880 more per year; $52,130 vs. $46,250).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drake University than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drake University students is 71.5% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($35,498 vs. $20,702).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at PLNU than at Drake (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both PLNU and Drake.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Drake average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at PLNU (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Point Loma Nazarene University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Drake graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, PLNU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drake graduates ($258 vs. $268).
  • More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation (84% 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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