UCSD vs. PLNU

Should I go to University of California San Diego or Point Loma Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCSD or PLNU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

USD San Diego State UCSB UCI UCLA UC Davis UW-Seattle UC Berkeley UC Riverside Purdue Michigan UT Austin
University of California San Diego vs. Point Loma Nazarene University comparison
University of California San Diego Point Loma Nazarene University College 3 College 4
University of California San Diego Point Loma Nazarene University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UCSD PLNU
Location La Jolla, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 42,006 4,319
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #89 #292
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucsd.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UCSD PLNU
Tuition (In State) $11,564 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $41,636 $40,400
Room & Board $16,710 $11,800
Avg Net Price $16,111 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $20,782 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 55% 100%

Admission

 UCSD PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 131,197 3,149
Admitted 31,103 2,580
Acceptance Rate 23.7% 81.9%
Enrolled % 21% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 28/34 22/30
SAT Range 1270/1480 1170/1350
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023 Feb 15, 2024

Academics

 UCSD PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (23%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 UCSD PLNU
Graduation Rate 85% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $67,900 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $191 $258

Diversity

 UCSD PLNU
% Men 50% 34%
% Women 50% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 21% 59%
% Black 1% 2%
% Hispanic 16% 23%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 17% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 UCSD PLNU
% In-State 81% 70%
% Out-of-State 8% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of California San Diego is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (42,006 students vs. 4,319 students)

UCSD vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or PLNU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 249.4% more expensive to attend than UCSD for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $11,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at UCSD than Point Loma Nazarene University ($41,636.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than PLNU ($16,111 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 41.6% lower than costs at University of California San Diego ($11,800 vs. $16,710)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than University of California San Diego (100% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 7% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($20,782 vs. $19,422)

UCSD vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of California San Diego (1344) is 196 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming UCSD students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than UCSD (23.7%)

UCSD vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCSD or PLNU? 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 PLNU and UCSD.

  • The graduation rate at UCSD is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (85% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from University of California San Diego earn on average $14,400 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($67,900 vs. $53,500)
  • University of California San Diego students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($18,500 vs. $25,000)
  • UCSD graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($191 vs. $258)
  • More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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