Oxy vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Occidental College 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.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Oxy based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Occidental College is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Occidental College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Occidental College 9:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

Oxy vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oxy 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 Oxy ($39,696 vs. $48,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 29.1% lower than at Occidental College ($13,650 vs. $19,252).
• Occidental College is 43.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $20,024 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.3% higher at Oxy than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $20,024 more per year; $66,274.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at Occidental College (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Occidental College students is 75.8% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($36,400 vs. $20,702).

Oxy vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oxy 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 Oxy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Occidental College (1450) is 180 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Oxy students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 1380/1520; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Occidental College 31/34; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Oxy - Test optional; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Oxy Jan 10, 2027; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Oxy (3.63).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Oxy (44.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.8% at Oxy vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

Oxy vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oxy 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).

• Occidental College's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from Occidental College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,600 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Occidental College graduates have a $1,348 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($23,652 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Oxy graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More Oxy graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.