PLNU vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Diego is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (9,714 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); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

PLNU vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or USD? 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 University of San Diego than PLNU ($37,918 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 31.5% lower than at University of San Diego ($13,650 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $13,236 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at USD than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $13,236 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of San Diego (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 97.9% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($40,965 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PLNU or USD? 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 USD and PLNU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027; USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 12.4% at USD.

PLNU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and USD? 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).

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $2,096 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($22,904 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($236 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 78%)

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.