UC Berkeley vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

UC Berkeley vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or PLNU? 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 University of California Berkeley than PLNU ($16,538 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 42.5% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($13,650 vs. $23,750).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 182.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $29,903 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at UC Berkeley than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $4,297 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Berkeley (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 43% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($29,608 vs. $20,702).

UC Berkeley vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or PLNU? 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 PLNU and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 150 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UC Berkeley vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and PLNU? 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).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $21,200 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $10,800 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($14,200 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($146 vs. $258).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.