PLNU vs. Arcadia

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

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Point Loma Nazarene University vs. Arcadia University comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Arcadia University College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Arcadia University
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Overview

PLNU Arcadia
Location San Diego, CA Glenside, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,319 3,026
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #502
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu arcadia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Arcadia
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $46,430
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $46,430
Room & Board $11,800 $13,720
Avg Net Price $34,933 $29,692
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $30,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

PLNU Arcadia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 6,321
Admitted 2,580 4,903
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 77.6%
Enrolled % 26.7% 10%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 24/29
SAT Range 1170/1350 1088/1320
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU Arcadia
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

PLNU Arcadia
Graduation Rate 72% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU Arcadia
% Men 34% 32%
% Women 66% 68%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 68%
% Black 2% 9%
% Hispanic 23% 8%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

PLNU Arcadia
% In-State 70% 62%
% Out-of-State 29% 37%

Campus

PLNU Arcadia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,026 students)

PLNU vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Arcadia?

  • Arcadia University is 14.9% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($46,430.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.9% higher at Arcadia than Point Loma Nazarene University ($46,430.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arcadia University than PLNU ($29,692 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 16.3% lower than costs at Arcadia University ($11,800 vs. $13,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 59.3% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($30,934 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Arcadia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 44 points higher than at Arcadia (1104)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Arcadia (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Arcadia (3.42)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Arcadia (77.6%)

PLNU vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Arcadia University (72% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $7,100 more per year than Arcadia graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $46,400)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Arcadia graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Arcadia graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

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