PLNU vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (8,913 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 Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

PLNU vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or USF? 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 USF ($39,696 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 30.9% lower than at University of San Francisco ($13,650 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 30.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $14,242 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at USF than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $14,242 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Point Loma Nazarene University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($34,723 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 20 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PLNU Feb 15, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USF (3.57).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 6% at USF.

PLNU vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and USF? 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 University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Francisco and PLNU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of San Francisco and PLNU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.