PLNU vs. William Carey University

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

PLNU William Carey University
Location San Diego, CA Hattiesburg, MS
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 4,319 5,662
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #292 #435
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pointloma.edu wmcarey.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

PLNU William Carey University
Tuition (In State) $40,400 $13,500
Tuition (Out of State) $40,400 $13,500
Room & Board $11,800 $7,463
Avg Net Price $34,933 $15,271
Avg Grant Aid $19,422 $13,331
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

PLNU William Carey University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,149 517
Admitted 2,580 277
Acceptance Rate 81.9% 53.6%
Enrolled % 26.7% 64.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/30 20/29
SAT Range 1170/1350 1050/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

PLNU William Carey University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Business (10%)

Outcomes

PLNU William Carey University
Graduation Rate 72% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,500 $40,900
Making Student Loan Payments 79% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $20,192
Median Loan Payment $258 $208

Diversity

PLNU William Carey University
% Men 34% 33%
% Women 66% 67%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 60%
% Black 2% 31%
% Hispanic 23% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 0%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

PLNU William Carey University
% In-State 70% 69%
% Out-of-State 29% 22%

Campus

PLNU William Carey 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

  • William Carey University is larger than than PLNU based on total student enrollment (5,662 students vs. 4,319 students)

PLNU vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PLNU or William Carey University?

  • Point Loma Nazarene University is 199.3% more expensive to attend than William Carey University for in-state tuition ($40,400.00 vs. $13,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 199.3% higher at PLNU than William Carey University ($40,400.00 vs. $13,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Carey University than PLNU ($15,271 vs. $34,933)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 58.1% lower than costs at Point Loma Nazarene University ($7,463 vs. $11,800)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University as William Carey University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students is 45.7% larger than aid received William Carey University ($19,422 vs. $13,331)

PLNU vs. William Carey University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Point Loma Nazarene University (1148) is 77 points higher than at William Carey University (1071)
  • Incoming PLNU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at William Carey University (24)
  • Accepted freshman PLNU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at William Carey University (3.46)
  • PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (81.9%) than William Carey University (53.6%)

PLNU vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, PLNU or William Carey 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 William Carey University and PLNU.

  • The graduation rate at PLNU is higher than William Carey University (72% vs. 51%)
  • Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn on average $12,600 more per year than William Carey University graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $40,900)
  • William Carey University students graduate with a $4,808 lower median federal student loan debt than PLNU graduates. ($20,192 vs. $25,000)
  • William Carey University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than PLNU graduates. ($208 vs. $258)
  • More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Carey University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 47%)

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