PLNU vs. Duquesne University

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

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

Overview

PLNU Duquesne University
Location San Diego, CA Pittsburgh, PA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,319 8,107
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #212
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu duq.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Duquesne University
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $45,376
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $45,376
Room & Board $11,800 $14,744
Avg Net Price $34,933 $33,919
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $26,800
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

PLNU Duquesne University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 12,376
Admitted 2,580 10,828
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 87.5%
Enrolled % 26.7% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 25/31
SAT Range 1170/1350 1160/1330
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU Duquesne 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 (31%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

PLNU Duquesne University
Graduation Rate 72% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $65,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU Duquesne University
% Men 34% 36%
% Women 66% 64%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 81%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 23% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU Duquesne University
% In-State 70% 74%
% Out-of-State 29% 24%

Campus

PLNU Duquesne 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

  • Duquesne University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (8,107 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. Duquesne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Duquesne University?

  • Duquesne University is 12.3% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($45,376.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at Duquesne University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($45,376.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Duquesne University than PLNU ($33,919 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 24.9% lower than costs at Duquesne University ($11,800 vs. $14,744)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Duquesne University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duquesne University students is 38% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($26,800 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Duquesne University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 10 points higher than at Duquesne University (1138)
  • Incoming PLNU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at Duquesne University (26)
  • Accepted freshman Duquesne University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • Duquesne University has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. Duquesne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Duquesne University is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (73% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Duquesne University earn on average $11,600 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($65,100 vs. $53,500)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Duquesne University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Duquesne University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Duquesne 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/