PLNU vs. CSUMB

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

PLNU CSUMB
Location San Diego, CA Seaside, CA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,319 7,045
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #861
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu csumb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU CSUMB
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $17,622
Room & Board $11,800 $16,262
Avg Net Price $34,933 $11,435
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $8,702
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 66%

Admission

PLNU CSUMB
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 12,568
Admitted 2,580 11,611
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 92.4%
Enrolled % 26.7% 7.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 17/23
SAT Range 1170/1350 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU CSUMB
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

PLNU CSUMB
Graduation Rate 72% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $45,300
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $14,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $144

Diversity

PLNU CSUMB
% Men 34% 38%
% Women 66% 62%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 31%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 23% 43%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

PLNU CSUMB
% In-State 70% 96%
% Out-of-State 29% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Monterey Bay is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (7,045 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or CSUMB?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 603.6% more expensive to attend than CSUMB for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.3% higher at PLNU than California State University Monterey Bay ($40,400.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Monterey Bay than PLNU ($11,435 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 37.8% lower than costs at California State University Monterey Bay ($11,800 vs. $16,262)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than California State University Monterey Bay (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 123.2% larger than aid received California State University Monterey Bay ($19,422 vs. $8,702)

PLNU vs. CSUMB Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at CSUMB (3.45)
  • CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than California State University Monterey Bay (72% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $8,200 more per year than CSUMB graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $45,300)
  • California State University Monterey Bay students graduate with a $11,000 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($14,000 vs. $25,000)
  • CSUMB graduates are paying $114 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($144 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 66%)

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