Azusa Pacific University vs. PLNU

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

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Location Azusa, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 7,169 4,319
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #268 #292
Religious Affiliation Undenominational Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Tuition (In State) $41,650 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $41,650 $40,400
Room & Board $9,222 $11,800
Avg Net Price $26,666 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $27,474 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,438 3,149
Admitted 2,991 2,580
Acceptance Rate 87% 81.9%
Enrolled % 17.3% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 22/30
SAT Range 980/1240 1170/1350
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 Jun 1, 2025 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Graduation Rate 63% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $258

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
% Men 28% 34%
% Women 72% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 59%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 23%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 8% 7%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
% In-State 77% 70%
% Out-of-State 15% 29%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University PLNU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
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Comparable Facts

  • Azusa Pacific University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (7,169 students vs. 4,319 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or PLNU?

  • Azusa Pacific University is 3.1% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($41,650.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at Azusa Pacific University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($41,650.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Azusa Pacific University than PLNU ($26,666 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 28% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($9,222 vs. $11,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Azusa Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 41.5% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($27,474 vs. $19,422)

Azusa Pacific University vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 68 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1080)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Azusa Pacific University (24)
  • Accepted freshman Azusa Pacific University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • Azusa Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than PLNU (81.9%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University 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 Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Azusa Pacific University (72% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn on average $700 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $53,500)
  • Azusa Pacific University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Azusa Pacific University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($232 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Azusa Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 66%)

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