PLNU vs. SPU

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

PLNU SPU
Location San Diego, CA Seattle, WA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,319 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #270
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU SPU
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $36,504
Room & Board $11,800 $14,409
Avg Net Price $34,933 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

PLNU SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 3,895
Admitted 2,580 3,533
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 90.7%
Enrolled % 26.7% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 20/27
SAT Range 1170/1350 1080/1350
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 11, 2025

Academics

PLNU SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

PLNU SPU
Graduation Rate 72% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $258 $264

Diversity

PLNU SPU
% Men 34% 31%
% Women 66% 69%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 59% 61%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 23% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 8%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU SPU
% In-State 70% 71%
% Out-of-State 29% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 3,118 students)

PLNU vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or SPU?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 10.7% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.7% higher at PLNU than Seattle Pacific University ($40,400.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than PLNU ($26,549 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 22.1% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($11,800 vs. $14,409)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 30.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($25,359 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 3 points higher than at SPU (1145)
  • Incoming PLNU students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (74% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $3,100 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $50,400)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $603 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,603)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($258 vs. $264)
  • More SPU 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/