DUofC vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

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

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

DUofC vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC 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 Dominican University of California than PLNU ($37,456 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 15.7% lower than at Dominican University of California ($13,650 vs. $16,191).
• Dominican University of California is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $5,911 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at DUofC than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $5,911 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 65.3% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($34,224 vs. $20,702).

DUofC vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC 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 DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 10 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPoint Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

DUofC vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Point Loma Nazarene University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PLNU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 71%)

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.