Loyola Marymount vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola Marymount University is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (10,179 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount 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 Point Loma Nazarene University than Loyola Marymount ($39,696 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 38% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($13,650 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $16,107 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at Loyola Marymount than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $16,107 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 17.5% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($24,318 vs. $20,702).

Loyola Marymount vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 80 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Loyola Marymount vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola Marymount University graduates have a $3,332 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($21,668 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Loyola Marymount graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 79%)

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.