PLNU vs. Calvin College

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

PLNU Calvin College
Location San Diego, CA Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,319 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #284
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Christian Reformed Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu calvin.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Calvin College
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $38,370
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $38,370
Room & Board $11,800 $11,150
Avg Net Price $34,933 $25,775
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $26,448
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

PLNU Calvin College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 4,079
Admitted 2,580 3,027
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 74.2%
Enrolled % 26.7% 20.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.84
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 25/30
SAT Range 1170/1350 1120/1370
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 Calvin College
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 (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Calvin College
Graduation Rate 72% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $47,000
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,449
Median Loan Payment $258 $273

Diversity

PLNU Calvin College
% Men 34% 46%
% Women 66% 54%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 74%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 23% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 1% 10%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

PLNU Calvin College
% In-State 70% 51%
% Out-of-State 29% 33%

Campus

PLNU Calvin College
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 Calvin College based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,231 students)

PLNU vs. Calvin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Calvin College?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 5.3% more expensive to attend than Calvin College for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at PLNU than Calvin College ($40,400.00 vs. $38,370.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Calvin College than PLNU ($25,775 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Calvin College are 5.8% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($11,150 vs. $11,800)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as Calvin College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Calvin College students is 36.2% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($26,448 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Calvin College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Calvin College (1202) is 54 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming Calvin College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Calvin College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Calvin College (74.2%)

PLNU vs. Calvin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Calvin College? 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 Calvin College and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at Calvin College is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (77% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $6,500 more per year than Calvin College graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $47,000)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $1,449 lower median federal student loan debt than Calvin College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,449)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Calvin College graduates. ($258 vs. $273)
  • More Calvin College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 79%)

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