CSU vs. PLNU

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

 CSU PLNU
Location Chico, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 14,183 4,319
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #292
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU PLNU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $40,400
Room & Board $15,212 $11,800
Avg Net Price $15,517 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 100%

Admission

 CSU PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 3,149
Admitted 20,347 2,580
Acceptance Rate 95% 81.9%
Enrolled % 9.9% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 22/30
SAT Range 970/1170 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 Dec 15, 2024 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 CSU PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 CSU PLNU
Graduation Rate 59% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $258

Diversity

 CSU PLNU
% Men 45% 34%
% Women 55% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 59%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 23%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

 CSU PLNU
% In-State 97% 70%
% Out-of-State 2% 29%

Campus

 CSU 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

  • California State University Chico is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (14,183 students vs. 4,319 students)

CSU vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or PLNU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 603.6% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.3% higher at PLNU than California State University Chico ($40,400.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than PLNU ($15,517 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 28.9% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($11,800 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than California State University Chico (100% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 112% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($19,422 vs. $9,162)

CSU vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 145 points higher than at CSU (1003)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than PLNU (81.9%)

CSU vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than California State University Chico (72% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $1,100 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $52,400)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $8,000 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $25,000)
  • CSU graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($175 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU 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/