PLNU vs. Mercer

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

PLNU Mercer
Location San Diego, CA Macon, GA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 4,319 8,889
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #236
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu mercer.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Mercer
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $39,408
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $39,408
Room & Board $11,800 $14,046
Avg Net Price $34,933 $22,087
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $33,740
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

PLNU Mercer
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 7,556
Admitted 2,580 5,643
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 74.7%
Enrolled % 26.7% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.98
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 26/31
SAT Range 1170/1350 1190/1360
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

PLNU Mercer
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Human Services (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Mercer
Graduation Rate 72% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $57,300
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

PLNU Mercer
% Men 34% 33%
% Women 66% 67%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 48%
% Black 2% 31%
% Hispanic 23% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

PLNU Mercer
% In-State 70% 86%
% Out-of-State 29% 13%

Campus

PLNU Mercer
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mercer University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (8,889 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. Mercer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Mercer?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 2.5% more expensive to attend than Mercer for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $39,408.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.5% higher at PLNU than Mercer University ($40,400.00 vs. $39,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercer University than PLNU ($22,087 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 19% lower than costs at Mercer University ($11,800 vs. $14,046)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as Mercer University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercer University students is 73.7% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($33,740 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Mercer Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Mercer University (1217) is 69 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming Mercer students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Mercer students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.98) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Mercer (74.7%)

PLNU vs. Mercer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Mercer University (72% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Mercer University earn on average $3,800 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($57,300 vs. $53,500)
  • Mercer University and PLNU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Mercer University and PLNU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercer students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 45%)

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