PLNU vs. PLU

Should I go to Point Loma Nazarene University or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLNU or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Point Loma Nazarene University vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

PLNU PLU
Location San Diego, CA Tacoma, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,319 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #311
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU PLU
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $49,472
Room & Board $11,800 $11,826
Avg Net Price $34,933 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

PLNU PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 3,334
Admitted 2,580 2,964
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 88.9%
Enrolled % 26.7% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 27/30
SAT Range 1170/1350 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Academics

PLNU PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

PLNU PLU
Graduation Rate 72% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $258 $266

Diversity

PLNU PLU
% Men 34% 36%
% Women 66% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 68%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 23% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU PLU
% In-State 70% 74%
% Out-of-State 29% 22%

Campus

PLNU PLU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than PLU based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 2,633 students)

PLNU vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 22.5% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.5% higher at PLU than Point Loma Nazarene University ($49,472.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than PLNU ($24,825 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 0.2% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($11,800 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 87.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($36,435 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or PLNU .

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 31 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (72% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $1,200 more per year than PLU graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $52,300)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $800 lower median federal student loan debt than PLU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,800)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than PLU graduates. ($258 vs. $266)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/