PLNU vs. Whitworth University

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

PLNU Whitworth University
Location San Diego, CA Spokane, WA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,494 2,345
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #252 #314
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu whitworth.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU Whitworth University
Tuition (In State) $42,600 $49,600
Tuition (Out of State) $42,600 $49,600
Room & Board $12,850 $13,700
Avg Net Price $36,370 $27,491
Avg Grant Aid $20,277 $38,334
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

PLNU Whitworth University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,065 4,740
Admitted 2,506 4,113
Acceptance Rate 81.8% 86.8%
Enrolled % 26.2% 13.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/30 21/29
SAT Range 1140/1410 1100/1320
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, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

PLNU Whitworth University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Physical Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

PLNU Whitworth University
Graduation Rate 72% 80%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $46,200
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $268

Diversity

PLNU Whitworth University
% Men 9% 6%
% Women 21% 12%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 75%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 23% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 6%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU Whitworth University
% In-State 70% 73%
% Out-of-State 29% 24%

Campus

PLNU Whitworth University
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 Whitworth University based on total student enrollment (4,494 students vs. 2,345 students)

PLNU vs. Whitworth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or Whitworth University?

  • Whitworth University is 16.4% more expensive to attend than PLNU for in-state tuition ($49,600.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.4% higher at Whitworth University than Point Loma Nazarene University ($49,600.00 vs. $42,600.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Whitworth University than PLNU ($27,491 vs. $36,370)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 6.6% lower than costs at Whitworth University ($12,850 vs. $13,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Whitworth University than Point Loma Nazarene University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Whitworth University students is 89.1% larger than aid received Point Loma Nazarene University ($38,334 vs. $20,277)

PLNU vs. Whitworth University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Whitworth University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at PLNU (3.65)
  • Whitworth University has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than PLNU (81.8%)

PLNU vs. Whitworth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or Whitworth University? 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 Whitworth University and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at Whitworth University is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University (80% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $7,300 more per year than Whitworth University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $46,200)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Whitworth University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • PLNU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Whitworth University graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whitworth University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 71%)

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