PLNU vs. Umary

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with University of Mary in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Umary based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 3,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Mary is in Bismarck, ND (Rural Fringe setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; University of Mary 14:1.

PLNU vs. Umary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Umary? 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 University of Mary than PLNU ($20,156 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary are 32% lower than at Point Loma Nazarene University ($9,276 vs. $13,650).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 106.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Umary (about $23,894 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.9% higher at PLNU than at University of Mary (about $23,894 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $22,356.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary than at Point Loma Nazarene University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 52.2% larger than aid received by University of Mary students ($20,702 vs. $13,601).

PLNU vs. Umary Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Umary (1230).
• Incoming PLNU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Umary).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; University of Mary 1110/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; University of Mary 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Umary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027; Umary Sep 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Umary (3.37).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Umary (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 41.4% at Umary.

PLNU vs. Umary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and Umary? 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 University of Mary's (52%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Umary graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mary graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Umary graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Umary students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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.