PLNU vs. Clarkson

Should I go to Point Loma Nazarene University or Clarkson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLNU or Clarkson 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Point Loma Nazarene University vs. Clarkson University comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Clarkson University College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Clarkson University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

PLNU Clarkson
Location San Diego, CA Potsdam, NY
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 4,319 3,719
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #220
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu clarkson.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Clarkson
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $54,960
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $54,960
Room & Board $11,800 $16,744
Avg Net Price $34,933 $32,450
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $41,285
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

PLNU Clarkson
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 6,594
Admitted 2,580 5,171
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 78.4%
Enrolled % 26.7% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 25/30
SAT Range 1170/1350 1190/1370
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 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU Clarkson
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (48%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

PLNU Clarkson
Graduation Rate 72% 72%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $70,800
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU Clarkson
% Men 34% 64%
% Women 66% 36%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 84%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 23% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

PLNU Clarkson
% In-State 70% 65%
% Out-of-State 29% 31%

Campus

PLNU Clarkson
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 Clarkson based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,719 students)

PLNU vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Clarkson?

  • Clarkson University is 36% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($54,960.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36% higher at Clarkson than Point Loma Nazarene University ($54,960.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clarkson University than PLNU ($32,450 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 41.9% lower than costs at Clarkson University ($11,800 vs. $16,744)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as Clarkson University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 112.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($41,285 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Clarkson Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clarkson University (1198) is 50 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming Clarkson students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Clarkson (78.4%)

PLNU vs. Clarkson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is the same as at Clarkson University (72% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn on average $17,300 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($70,800 vs. $53,500)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarkson graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Clarkson graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 79%)

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