PLNU vs. TCU

Should I go to Point Loma Nazarene University or Texas Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLNU or TCU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Baylor SMU Texas A&M Westmont College Biola University UT Austin USD Pepperdine San Diego State Trinity UT Arlington Rice
Point Loma Nazarene University vs. Texas Christian University comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Texas Christian University College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Texas Christian University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 PLNU TCU
Location San Diego, CA Fort Worth, TX
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,494 12,785
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #252 #107
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu tcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 PLNU TCU
Tuition (In State) $42,600 $57,130
Tuition (Out of State) $42,600 $57,130
Room & Board $12,850 $14,800
Avg Net Price $36,370 $39,005
Avg Grant Aid $20,277 $33,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 81%

Admission

 PLNU TCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,065 20,517
Admitted 2,506 8,740
Acceptance Rate 81.8% 42.6%
Enrolled % 26.2% 28.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 26/31
SAT Range 1140/1410 1150/1375
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 Feb 1, 2025

Academics

 PLNU TCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (18%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

 PLNU TCU
Graduation Rate 72% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $57,600
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $222

Diversity

 PLNU TCU
% Men 9% 6%
% Women 21% 9%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 73%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 23% 11%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 PLNU TCU
% In-State 70% 44%
% Out-of-State 29% 52%

Campus

 PLNU TCU
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

  • Texas Christian University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (12,785 students vs. 4,494 students)

PLNU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or TCU?

  • Texas Christian University is 34.1% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($57,130.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.1% higher at TCU than Point Loma Nazarene University ($57,130.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than TCU ($36,370 vs. $39,005)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 15.2% lower than costs at Texas Christian University ($12,850 vs. $14,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than Texas Christian University (93% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 66.8% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($33,813 vs. $20,277)

PLNU vs. TCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Texas Christian University (1220) is 72 points higher than at PLNU (1148)
  • Incoming TCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at PLNU (26)
  • Accepted freshman TCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than TCU (42.6%)

PLNU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at TCU is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (74% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Texas Christian University earn on average $4,100 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($57,600 vs. $53,500)
  • Texas Christian University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,000)
  • TCU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($222 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 77%)

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