Biola University vs. PLNU

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

Biola University PLNU
Location La Mirada, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,387 4,319
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #245 #292
Religious Affiliation Undenominational Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University PLNU
Tuition (In State) $44,382 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $44,382 $40,400
Room & Board $10,522 $11,800
Avg Net Price $31,522 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $26,521 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Biola University PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,224 3,149
Admitted 2,392 2,580
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 81.9%
Enrolled % 29.5% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/30 22/30
SAT Range 1105/1365 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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Biola University PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Biola University PLNU
Graduation Rate 71% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $258

Diversity

Biola University PLNU
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 59%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 23%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Biola University PLNU
% In-State 65% 70%
% Out-of-State 28% 29%

Campus

Biola University PLNU
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

  • Biola University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (5,387 students vs. 4,319 students)

Biola University vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or PLNU?

  • Biola University is 9.9% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($44,382.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.9% higher at Biola University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($44,382.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Biola University than PLNU ($31,522 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 12.1% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($10,522 vs. $11,800)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Biola University as Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 36.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($26,521 vs. $19,422)

Biola University vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 33 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Biola University (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Biola University (56.6%)

Biola University vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola 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 Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Biola University (72% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $48,900)
  • Biola University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Biola University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($253 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Biola University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

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