Cal State Long Beach vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or PLNU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Long Beach than PLNU ($10,607 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 12.6% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($13,650 vs. $15,612).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 529.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $38,900 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.8% higher at PLNU than at California State University Long Beach (about $26,300 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at California State University Long Beach (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 75.5% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($20,702 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or PLNU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PLNU and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 140 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming PLNU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Cal State Long Beach vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and PLNU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.