UCI vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Irvine in Irvine, 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 Irvine is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (37,297 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine 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 Irvine 19:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

UCI vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI 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 Irvine than PLNU ($15,889 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 28.1% lower than at University of California Irvine ($13,650 vs. $18,991).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 194.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $30,528 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at UCI than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $3,672 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Irvine (94% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($23,110 vs. $20,702).

UCI vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCI 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 UCI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 60 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UCI 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 Irvine 1230/1430; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCI students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UCI vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCI students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 76%)

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.