PLNU vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (4,757 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1; Westmont College 10:1.

PLNU vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than PLNU ($32,172 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 19.5% lower than at Westmont College ($13,650 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLNU (about $7,334 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Westmont College than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $7,334 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Point Loma Nazarene University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 88.2% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($38,956 vs. $20,702).

PLNU vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 80 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming PLNU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Westmont College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PLNU - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• 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 Westmont College (3.59).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Westmont College (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at PLNU vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

PLNU vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PLNU and Westmont College? 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Point Loma Nazarene University graduates have a $123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, PLNU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 79%)

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.