PLNU vs. Whittier College

Should I go to Point Loma Nazarene University or Whittier College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if PLNU or Whittier College 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Westmont College Biola University USD Pepperdine La Verne San Diego State Azusa Pacific University University of Redlands Chapman UCSD USF Loyola Marymount
Point Loma Nazarene University vs. Whittier College comparison
Point Loma Nazarene University Whittier College College 3 College 4
Point Loma Nazarene University Whittier College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

PLNU Whittier College
Location San Diego, CA Whittier, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,319 1,192
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #273
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu whittier.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Whittier College
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $48,924
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $48,924
Room & Board $11,800 $15,623
Avg Net Price $34,933 $28,368
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $34,623
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

PLNU Whittier College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 3,014
Admitted 2,580 2,274
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 75.4%
Enrolled % 26.7% 10.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 24/30
SAT Range 1170/1350 1140/1340
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

Academics

PLNU Whittier College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (22%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Whittier College
Graduation Rate 72% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $258 $263

Diversity

PLNU Whittier College
% Men 34% 44%
% Women 66% 56%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 31%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 23% 44%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU Whittier College
% In-State 70% 64%
% Out-of-State 29% 27%

Campus

PLNU Whittier College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is larger than than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (4,319 students vs. 1,192 students)

PLNU vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Whittier College?

  • Whittier College is 21.1% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($48,924.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.1% higher at Whittier College than Point Loma Nazarene University ($48,924.00 vs. $40,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Whittier College than PLNU ($28,368 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 32.4% lower than costs at Whittier College ($11,800 vs. $15,623)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as Whittier College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 78.3% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($34,623 vs. $19,422)

PLNU vs. Whittier College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 91 points higher than at Whittier College (1057)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Whittier College (23)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Whittier College (3.61)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than Whittier College (75.4%)

PLNU vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Whittier College? 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 Whittier College and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than Whittier College (72% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Whittier College graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $47,400)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Whittier College graduates. ($25,000 vs. $25,500)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Whittier College graduates. ($258 vs. $263)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

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