PLNU vs. Lewis and Clark

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Lewis and Clark based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 3,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Lewis & Clark College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Lewis & Clark College 12:1.

PLNU vs. Lewis and Clark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Lewis and Clark? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lewis & Clark College than PLNU ($37,999 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 12.8% lower than at Lewis & Clark College ($13,650 vs. $15,648).
• Lewis & Clark College is 40.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $18,578 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at Lewis and Clark than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $18,578 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 103% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($42,021 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. Lewis and Clark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or Lewis and Clark? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lewis and Clark and PLNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lewis & Clark College (1300) is 30 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming Lewis and Clark students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; Lewis & Clark College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Lewis and Clark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027; Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Lewis and Clark (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 9.7% at Lewis and Clark.

PLNU vs. Lewis and Clark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and Lewis and Clark? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lewis & Clark College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Lewis and Clark graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lewis & Clark College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Lewis and Clark graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More Lewis and Clark 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.