PLNU vs. The New School

Comparable Facts

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA with The New School in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The New School is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (9,068 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); The New School is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The New School is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; The New School 9:1.

PLNU vs. The New School Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or The New School? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than The New School ($39,696 vs. $67,224).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 46.1% lower than at The New School ($13,650 vs. $25,337).
• The New School is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $12,444 more per year; $58,694.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at The New School than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $12,444 more per year; $58,694.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as at The New School (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The New School students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($22,174 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. The New School Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or The New School? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between The New School and PLNU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 20 points higher than at The New School (1250).
• Incoming PLNU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at The New School (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; The New School 1140/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; The New School 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; The New School - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at The New School (3.59).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than The New School (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 21.3% at The New School.

PLNU vs. The New School Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and The New School? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than The New School's (61%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $800 more per year than The New School graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $52,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The New School graduates have a $1,128 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($23,872 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, The New School graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The New School 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.