PLNU vs. Fairfield University

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

PLNU Fairfield University
Location San Diego, CA Fairfield, CT
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,319 6,019
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #138
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu fairfield.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Fairfield University
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $53,630
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $53,630
Room & Board $11,800 $16,750
Avg Net Price $34,933 $46,065
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $25,279
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

PLNU Fairfield University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 13,359
Admitted 2,580 6,971
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 52.2%
Enrolled % 26.7% 19.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.67
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 28/31
SAT Range 1170/1350 1240/1370
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 Fairfield 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 (34%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Fairfield University
Graduation Rate 72% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $77,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU Fairfield University
% Men 34% 41%
% Women 66% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 76%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 23% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

PLNU Fairfield University
% In-State 70% 15%
% Out-of-State 29% 84%

Campus

PLNU Fairfield 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

  • Fairfield University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (6,019 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. Fairfield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Fairfield University?

  • Fairfield University is 32.7% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($53,630.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.7% higher at Fairfield University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($53,630.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than Fairfield University ($34,933 vs. $46,065)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 41.9% lower than costs at Fairfield University ($11,800 vs. $16,750)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Fairfield University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 30.2% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($25,279 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Fairfield University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Fairfield University (52.2%)

PLNU vs. Fairfield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Fairfield University is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (82% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Fairfield University earn on average $23,600 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($77,100 vs. $53,500)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fairfield University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Fairfield University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Fairfield 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/