PLNU vs. University of Scranton

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

PLNU University of Scranton
Location San Diego, CA Scranton, PA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 4,319 4,731
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #217
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu scranton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU University of Scranton
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $49,912
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $49,912
Room & Board $11,800 $16,490
Avg Net Price $34,933 $35,526
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $30,218
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

PLNU University of Scranton
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 9,530
Admitted 2,580 8,039
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 84.4%
Enrolled % 26.7% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.56
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 25/31
SAT Range 1170/1350 1150/1320
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

PLNU University of Scranton
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 (20%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU University of Scranton
Graduation Rate 72% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $62,100
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

PLNU University of Scranton
% Men 34% 42%
% Women 66% 58%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 82%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 23% 9%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

PLNU University of Scranton
% In-State 70% 44%
% Out-of-State 29% 56%

Campus

PLNU University of Scranton
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

  • University of Scranton is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (4,731 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. University of Scranton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or University of Scranton?

  • University of Scranton is 23.5% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($49,912.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 23.5% higher at University of Scranton than Point Loma Nazarene University ($49,912.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Point Loma Nazarene University than University of Scranton ($34,933 vs. $35,526)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 39.7% lower than costs at University of Scranton ($11,800 vs. $16,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than University of Scranton (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Scranton students is 55.6% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($30,218 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. University of Scranton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 14 points higher than at University of Scranton (1134)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at University of Scranton (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at University of Scranton (3.56)
  • University of Scranton has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than PLNU (81.9%)

PLNU vs. University of Scranton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or University of Scranton? 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 University of Scranton and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Scranton is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (77% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from University of Scranton earn on average $8,600 more per year than PLNU graduates after ten years. ($62,100 vs. $53,500)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Scranton graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than University of Scranton graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More University of Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 79%)

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