PLNU vs. Bethel University

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

PLNU Bethel University
Location San Diego, CA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,319 3,546
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #238
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $41,110
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $41,110
Room & Board $11,800 $11,490
Avg Net Price $34,933 $29,915
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $24,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

PLNU Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 2,199
Admitted 2,580 1,594
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 72.5%
Enrolled % 26.7% 27.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 20/28
SAT Range 1170/1350 1123/1343
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 May 1, 2025

Academics

PLNU Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

PLNU Bethel University
Graduation Rate 72% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $258 $252

Diversity

PLNU Bethel University
% Men 34% 38%
% Women 66% 62%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 78%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 23% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

PLNU Bethel University
% In-State 70% 79%
% Out-of-State 29% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than Bethel University based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,546 students)

PLNU vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 1.8% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.8% higher at Bethel University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($41,110.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bethel University than PLNU ($29,915 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 2.7% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($11,490 vs. $11,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Bethel University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 26.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($24,586 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 21 points higher than at Bethel University (1127)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Bethel University (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Bethel University (3.6)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

PLNU vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Bethel University? 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 Bethel University and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (73% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Bethel University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $50,100)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $600 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($24,400 vs. $25,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($252 vs. $258)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

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