Pepperdine vs. PLNU

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

Loyola Marymount Chapman USD Oxy SCU Westmont College USC Biola University UCLA UCSB San Diego State SMU
Pepperdine University vs. Point Loma Nazarene University comparison
Pepperdine University Point Loma Nazarene University College 3 College 4
Pepperdine University Point Loma Nazarene University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Pepperdine PLNU
Location Malibu, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 9,545 4,494
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #143 #252
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ Church of the Nazarene - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pepperdine.edu pointloma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pepperdine PLNU
Tuition (In State) $65,990 $42,600
Tuition (Out of State) $65,990 $42,600
Room & Board $23,270 $12,850
Avg Net Price $52,216 $36,370
Avg Grant Aid $32,986 $20,277
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 93%

Admission

Pepperdine PLNU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,457 3,065
Admitted 6,210 2,506
Acceptance Rate 49.9% 81.8%
Enrolled % 11.8% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/32 22/30
SAT Range 1250/1450 1140/1410
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Pepperdine PLNU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (22%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Pepperdine PLNU
Graduation Rate 81% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $71,700 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 79%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $258

Diversity

Pepperdine PLNU
% Men 18% 9%
% Women 44% 21%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 47% 59%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 16% 23%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 10% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Pepperdine PLNU
% In-State 55% 70%
% Out-of-State 34% 29%

Campus

Pepperdine 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

  • Pepperdine University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (9,545 students vs. 4,494 students)

Pepperdine vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pepperdine or PLNU?

  • Pepperdine University is 54.9% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($65,990.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.9% higher at Pepperdine than Point Loma Nazarene University ($65,990.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than Pepperdine ($36,370 vs. $52,216)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 81.1% lower than costs at Pepperdine University ($12,850 vs. $23,270)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Pepperdine University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pepperdine University students is 62.7% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($32,986 vs. $20,277)

Pepperdine vs. PLNU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Pepperdine University (1226) is 78 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming Pepperdine students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Pepperdine students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Pepperdine (49.9%)

Pepperdine vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine.

  • The graduation rate at Pepperdine is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (81% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Pepperdine University earn on average $18,200 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($71,700 vs. $53,500)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Pepperdine graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Pepperdine graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pepperdine students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 75%)

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