PLNU vs. Lipscomb

Deciding between Point Loma Nazarene University and Lipscomb University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Point Loma Nazarene University
Lipscomb University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • PLNU San Diego, CA
  • Lipscomb Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • PLNU Large City
  • Lipscomb Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • PLNU 4,757
  • Lipscomb 5,017
  • Type
  • PLNU Private 4 Year
  • Lipscomb Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • PLNU #250
  • Lipscomb #267
  • Religious Affiliation
  • PLNU Church of the Nazarene
  • Lipscomb Churches of Christ
  • Status
  • PLNU Non-profit
  • Lipscomb Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • PLNU
  • Lipscomb

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Lipscomb $40,572
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • PLNU $46,250
  • Lipscomb $40,572
  • Room & Board
  • PLNU $13,650
  • Lipscomb $15,424
  • Average Net Price
  • PLNU $39,696
  • Lipscomb $27,695
  • Average Grant Aid
  • PLNU $20,702
  • Lipscomb $28,645
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • PLNU 94%
  • Lipscomb 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • PLNU 3,265
  • Lipscomb 4,261
  • Admitted
  • PLNU 2,732
  • Lipscomb 2,886
  • Acceptance Rate
  • PLNU 83.7%
  • Lipscomb 67.7%
  • Enrolled
  • PLNU 21.4%
  • Lipscomb 24.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • PLNU 1270
  • Lipscomb 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • PLNU 28
  • Lipscomb 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • PLNU 3.65
  • Lipscomb 3.73
  • Typical High School Grades
  • PLNU A-
  • Lipscomb A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • PLNU Very High
  • Lipscomb Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • PLNU
  • Lipscomb Low
  • ACT Range
  • PLNU 25/32
  • Lipscomb 23/30
  • SAT Range
  • PLNU 1175/1365
  • Lipscomb 1160/1380
  • Submit Test Scores
  • PLNU Test optional
  • Lipscomb Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • PLNU Feb 15, 2027
  • Lipscomb

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • PLNU 13:1
  • Lipscomb 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • PLNU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Lipscomb
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • PLNU 72%
  • Lipscomb 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • PLNU $53,500
  • Lipscomb $46,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • PLNU 79%
  • Lipscomb 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • PLNU $25,000
  • Lipscomb $20,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • PLNU $258
  • Lipscomb $211

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • PLNU 33%
  • Lipscomb 37%
  • % Women
  • PLNU 67%
  • Lipscomb 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • PLNU High
  • Lipscomb Low
  • HBCU
  • PLNU No
  • Lipscomb No
  • % White
  • PLNU 59%
  • Lipscomb 77%
  • % Asian
  • PLNU 5%
  • Lipscomb 3%
  • % Black
  • PLNU 2%
  • Lipscomb 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • PLNU 23%
  • Lipscomb 7%
  • % Native American
  • PLNU 1%
  • Lipscomb 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • PLNU 1%
  • Lipscomb 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • PLNU 7%
  • Lipscomb 2%
  • % International
  • PLNU 1%
  • Lipscomb 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • PLNU 2%
  • Lipscomb 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • PLNU 72%
  • Lipscomb 63%
  • % Out-of-State
  • PLNU 26%
  • Lipscomb 34%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • PLNU Yes
  • Lipscomb Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • PLNU No
  • Lipscomb No
  • Meal Plan
  • PLNU Yes
  • Lipscomb Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • PLNU No
  • Lipscomb Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • PLNU No
  • Lipscomb No

Comparable Facts

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

Lipscomb University is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (5,017 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PLNU vs. Lipscomb Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University than PLNU ($27,695 vs. $39,696).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 11.5% lower than at Lipscomb University ($13,650 vs. $15,424).
  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lipscomb (about $5,678 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $40,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at PLNU than at Lipscomb University (about $5,678 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $40,572.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lipscomb University than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lipscomb University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($28,645 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. Lipscomb Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb and PLNU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is the same as at Lipscomb (1270).
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Lipscomb).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; Lipscomb University 1160/1380.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; Lipscomb University 23/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Lipscomb - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Lipscomb students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at PLNU (3.65).
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Lipscomb (67.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 24.9% at Lipscomb.

PLNU vs. Lipscomb Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and Lipscomb? 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 Lipscomb University's (63%).
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Lipscomb graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lipscomb University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($20,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lipscomb graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($211 vs. $258).
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lipscomb students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 68%)

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.