Humboldt State University vs. PLNU

Should I go to Humboldt State University or Point Loma Nazarene University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Humboldt State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Humboldt State University vs. Point Loma Nazarene University comparison
Humboldt State University Point Loma Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Humboldt State University Point Loma Nazarene University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Humboldt State University PLNU
Location Arcata, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 6,025 4,319
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #292
Religious Affiliation - Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University PLNU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $40,400
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $40,400
Room & Board $12,540 $11,800
Avg Net Price $14,325 $34,933
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $19,422
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

Humboldt State University PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 3,149
Admitted 8,350 2,580
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 81.9%
Enrolled % 11.5% 26.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 22/30
SAT Range 970/1190 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 Apr 30, 2025 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University PLNU
Graduation Rate 40% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $258

Diversity

Humboldt State University PLNU
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 59%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 33% 23%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Humboldt State University PLNU
% In-State 91% 70%
% Out-of-State 8% 29%

Campus

Humboldt State University 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

  • Humboldt State University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (6,025 students vs. 4,319 students)

Humboldt State University vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or PLNU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 603.6% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.3% higher at PLNU than Humboldt State University ($40,400.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than PLNU ($14,325 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 6.3% lower than costs at Humboldt State University ($11,800 vs. $12,540)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Humboldt State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 109.7% larger than aid received Humboldt State University ($19,422 vs. $9,262)

Humboldt State University vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 158 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than PLNU (81.9%)

Humboldt State University vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State 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 Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Humboldt State University (72% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $14,500 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($19,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Humboldt State University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($201 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 56%)

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