ASU vs. PLNU

Should I go to Arizona State University or Point Loma Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ASU 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.
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Arizona State University vs. Point Loma Nazarene University comparison
Arizona State University Point Loma Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Arizona State University Point Loma Nazarene University
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Overview

 ASU PLNU
Location Tempe, AZ San Diego, CA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 80,065 4,319
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #389 #292
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website asu.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 ASU PLNU
Tuition (In State) $10,978 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $29,952 $40,400
Room & Board $14,718 $11,800
Avg Net Price $14,808 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $12,381 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 100%

Admission

 ASU PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 68,789 3,149
Admitted 61,739 2,580
Acceptance Rate 89.8% 81.9%
Enrolled % 24.5% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 22/30
SAT Range 1100/1320 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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 ASU PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 ASU PLNU
Graduation Rate 57% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,600 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,278 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $209 $258

Diversity

 ASU PLNU
% Men 52% 34%
% Women 48% 66%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 52% 59%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 23%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 12% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 ASU PLNU
% In-State 57% 70%
% Out-of-State 36% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Arizona State University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (80,065 students vs. 4,319 students)

ASU vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or PLNU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 268% more expensive to attend than ASU for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $10,978.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.9% higher at PLNU than Arizona State University ($40,400.00 vs. $29,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arizona State University than PLNU ($14,808 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 24.7% lower than costs at Arizona State University ($11,800 vs. $14,718)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Arizona State University (100% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 56.9% larger than aid received Arizona State University ($19,422 vs. $12,381)

ASU vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Arizona State University (1158) is 10 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming ASU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at ASU (3.54)
  • ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than PLNU (81.9%)

ASU vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ASU 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 ASU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Arizona State University (72% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $900 more per year than ASU graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $52,600)
  • Arizona State University students graduate with a $4,722 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($20,278 vs. $25,000)
  • ASU graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($209 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 57%)

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