PLNU vs. San Diego State

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

PLNU San Diego State
Location San Diego, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,319 37,402
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #337
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu sdsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU San Diego State
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $17,622
Room & Board $11,800 $19,714
Avg Net Price $34,933 $13,017
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $9,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 43%

Admission

PLNU San Diego State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 77,250
Admitted 2,580 30,331
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 39.3%
Enrolled % 26.7% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.82
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 22/30 22/29
SAT Range 1170/1350 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

PLNU San Diego State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 25:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU San Diego State
Graduation Rate 72% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $15,349
Median Loan Payment $258 $158

Diversity

PLNU San Diego State
% Men 34% 42%
% Women 66% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 34%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 23% 31%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

PLNU San Diego State
% In-State 70% 77%
% Out-of-State 29% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (37,402 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or San Diego State?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 603.6% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.3% higher at PLNU than San Diego State University ($40,400.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than PLNU ($13,017 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 67.1% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($11,800 vs. $19,714)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than San Diego State University (100% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 95.5% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($19,422 vs. $9,934)

PLNU vs. San Diego State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 18 points higher than at San Diego State (1130)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at San Diego State (25)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than San Diego State (39.3%)

PLNU vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than San Diego State University (72% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $100 more per year than San Diego State graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $53,400)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $9,651 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($15,349 vs. $25,000)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $100 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($158 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 65%)

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