California Lutheran University vs. PLNU

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

 California Lutheran University PLNU
Location Thousand Oaks, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,413 4,494
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #252
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 California Lutheran University PLNU
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $42,600
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $42,600
Room & Board $17,734 $12,850
Avg Net Price $27,080 $36,370
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $20,277
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

 California Lutheran University PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 3,065
Admitted 4,702 2,506
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 81.8%
Enrolled % 12.2% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 22/30
SAT Range 1134/1320 1140/1410
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 Jan 1, 2025 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 California Lutheran University PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 California Lutheran University PLNU
Graduation Rate 64% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $258

Diversity

 California Lutheran University PLNU
% Men 10% 9%
% Women 20% 21%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 59%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 27% 23%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

 California Lutheran University PLNU
% In-State 80% 70%
% Out-of-State 16% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (4,494 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or PLNU?

  • California Lutheran University is 17.1% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.1% higher at California Lutheran University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($49,880.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than PLNU ($27,080 vs. $36,370)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 38% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($12,850 vs. $17,734)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 80.9% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($36,687 vs. $20,277)

California Lutheran University vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 39 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at California Lutheran University (25)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than PLNU (81.8%)

California Lutheran University vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran 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 California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than California Lutheran University (72% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $4,400 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $53,500)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,000)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($237 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 70%)

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