Concordia University-Irvine vs. PLNU

Should I go to Concordia University Irvine or Point Loma Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Concordia University-Irvine 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Westmont College Biola University USD Pepperdine San Diego State UCI Azusa Pacific University Chapman California Baptist University UCSD Vanguard University of Southern California La Verne
Concordia University Irvine vs. Point Loma Nazarene University comparison
Concordia University Irvine Point Loma Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Concordia University Irvine Point Loma Nazarene University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
Location Irvine, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,744 4,319
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #472 #292
Religious Affiliation Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cui.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
Tuition (In State) $39,330 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $39,330 $40,400
Room & Board $12,770 $11,800
Avg Net Price $29,508 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $24,623 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,576 3,149
Admitted 2,467 2,580
Acceptance Rate 69% 81.9%
Enrolled % 13.9% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 22/30
SAT Range 1030/1260 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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
Graduation Rate 51% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,678 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $258

Diversity

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
% Men 37% 34%
% Women 63% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 59%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 21% 23%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 14% 2%

Students

 Concordia University-Irvine PLNU
% In-State 66% 70%
% Out-of-State 29% 29%

Campus

 Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University-Irvine based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,744 students)

Concordia University-Irvine vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University-Irvine or PLNU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 2.7% more expensive to attend than Concordia University-Irvine for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $39,330.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.7% higher at PLNU than Concordia University Irvine ($40,400.00 vs. $39,330.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Concordia University Irvine than PLNU ($29,508 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 8.2% lower than costs at Concordia University Irvine ($11,800 vs. $12,770)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Concordia University Irvine as Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 26.8% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($24,623 vs. $19,422)

Concordia University-Irvine vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 119 points higher than at Concordia University-Irvine (1029)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (3.61)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Concordia University-Irvine (69%)

Concordia University-Irvine vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University-Irvine.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Concordia University Irvine (72% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Concordia University-Irvine graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $48,300)
  • Concordia University Irvine students graduate with a $2,322 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($22,678 vs. $25,000)
  • Concordia University-Irvine graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($234 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Concordia University-Irvine 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/