PLNU vs. Loyola

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola University Chicago is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (17,384 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Loyola University Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Loyola University Chicago 13:1.

PLNU vs. Loyola Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Loyola? 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 Loyola University Chicago than PLNU ($39,147 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 19.8% lower than at Loyola University Chicago ($13,650 vs. $17,010).
• Loyola University Chicago is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $7,460 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Loyola than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $7,460 more per year; $53,710.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola University Chicago than at Point Loma Nazarene University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola University Chicago students is 39.2% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($28,816 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. Loyola Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or Loyola? 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 Loyola and PLNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is the same as at Loyola (1270).
• Incoming Loyola 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; Loyola University Chicago 1170/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; Loyola University Chicago 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Loyola - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Loyola (81.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 8.6% at Loyola.

PLNU vs. Loyola Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and Loyola? 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).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Loyola University Chicago's (70%).
• Graduates from Loyola University Chicago earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loyola University Chicago and PLNU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Loyola University Chicago and PLNU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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.