PLNU vs. Clark University

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

PLNU Clark University
Location San Diego, CA Worcester, MA
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,494 4,124
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #252 #153
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu clarku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Clark University
Tuition (In State) $42,600 $54,760
Tuition (Out of State) $42,600 $54,760
Room & Board $12,850 $11,690
Avg Net Price $36,370 $32,767
Avg Grant Aid $20,277 $31,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 97%

Admission

PLNU Clark University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,065 10,730
Admitted 2,506 4,471
Acceptance Rate 81.8% 41.7%
Enrolled % 26.2% 14.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 30/33
SAT Range 1140/1410 1240/1400
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU Clark University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Clark University
Graduation Rate 72% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU Clark University
% Men 9% 23%
% Women 21% 20%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 57%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 23% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 1% 15%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

PLNU Clark University
% In-State 70% 36%
% Out-of-State 29% 60%

Campus

PLNU Clark University
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 Clark University based on total student enrollment (4,494 students vs. 4,124 students)

PLNU vs. Clark University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Clark University?

  • Clark University is 28.5% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($54,760.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.5% higher at Clark University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($54,760.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clark University than PLNU ($32,767 vs. $36,370)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 9.9% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($11,690 vs. $12,850)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than Point Loma Nazarene University (97% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark University students is 57.4% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($31,916 vs. $20,277)

PLNU vs. Clark University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Clark University (41.7%)

PLNU vs. Clark University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Clark 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 Clark University and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at Clark University is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (80% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Clark University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $50,100)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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