UC Davis vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Davis in Davis, 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 Davis is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis 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 Davis 22:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

UC Davis vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis 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 Davis than PLNU ($17,270 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 29.7% lower than at University of California Davis ($13,650 vs. $19,426).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 175.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $29,476 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at UC Davis than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $4,724 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Davis (94% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 18.8% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($24,591 vs. $20,702).

UC Davis vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis 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 Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 10 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UC Davis vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis 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 Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $10,324 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($14,676 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($151 vs. $258).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PLNU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.