PLNU vs. San Jose State

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

PLNU San Jose State
Location San Diego, CA San Jose, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,319 35,751
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #558
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu sjsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU San Jose State
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $17,622
Room & Board $11,800 $18,568
Avg Net Price $34,933 $14,219
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $9,210
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 59%

Admission

PLNU San Jose State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 34,002
Admitted 2,580 26,083
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 76.7%
Enrolled % 26.7% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.35
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 19/26
SAT Range 1170/1350 1010/1240
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 Dec 15, 2024

Academics

PLNU San Jose State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU San Jose State
Graduation Rate 72% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $59,900
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $15,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $155

Diversity

PLNU San Jose State
% Men 34% 48%
% Women 66% 52%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 19%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 23% 26%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 5%
% International 1% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

PLNU San Jose State
% In-State 70% 96%
% Out-of-State 29% 1%

Campus

PLNU San Jose 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 Jose State University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (35,751 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

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

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 603.6% more expensive to attend than San Jose State for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.3% higher at PLNU than San Jose 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 Jose State University than PLNU ($14,219 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 57.4% lower than costs at San Jose State University ($11,800 vs. $18,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than San Jose State University (100% vs. 59%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 110.9% larger than aid received San Jose State University ($19,422 vs. $9,210)

PLNU vs. San Jose State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 93 points higher than at San Jose State (1055)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at San Jose State (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at San Jose State (3.35)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than San Jose State (76.7%)

PLNU vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or San Jose 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 Jose State and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than San Jose State University (72% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from San Jose State University earn on average $6,400 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($59,900 vs. $53,500)
  • San Jose State University students graduate with a $10,000 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($15,000 vs. $25,000)
  • San Jose State graduates are paying $103 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($155 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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