PLNU vs. Belmont

Should I go to Point Loma Nazarene University or Belmont University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLNU or Belmont 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. Belmont University comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Belmont University College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Belmont University
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Overview

 PLNU Belmont
Location San Diego, CA Nashville, TN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,319 8,910
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #317
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu belmont.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 PLNU Belmont
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $38,000
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $38,000
Room & Board $11,800 $13,670
Avg Net Price $34,933 $36,225
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $22,080
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 PLNU Belmont
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 9,163
Admitted 2,580 8,821
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 96.3%
Enrolled % 26.7% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.83
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 24/30
SAT Range 1170/1350 1150/1340
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

 PLNU Belmont
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 (34%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (5%)
  • Communications Technology (5%)

Outcomes

 PLNU Belmont
Graduation Rate 72% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $49,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,780
Median Loan Payment $258 $225

Diversity

 PLNU Belmont
% Men 34% 33%
% Women 66% 67%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 80%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 23% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

 PLNU Belmont
% In-State 70% 27%
% Out-of-State 29% 72%

Campus

 PLNU Belmont
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

  • Belmont University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (8,910 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. Belmont Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Belmont?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 6.3% more expensive to attend than Belmont for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $38,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.3% higher at PLNU than Belmont University ($40,400.00 vs. $38,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than Belmont ($34,933 vs. $36,225)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 15.8% lower than costs at Belmont University ($11,800 vs. $13,670)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Belmont University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont University students is 13.7% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($22,080 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Belmont Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Belmont University (1158) is 10 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming PLNU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Belmont (26)
  • Accepted freshman Belmont students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • Belmont has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. Belmont Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Belmont University (72% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $4,400 more per year than Belmont graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $49,100)
  • Belmont University students graduate with a $3,220 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($21,780 vs. $25,000)
  • Belmont graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($225 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Belmont students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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