UCLA vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Point Loma Nazarene University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 20:1; Point Loma Nazarene University 13:1.

UCLA vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 Los Angeles than PLNU ($14,512 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 25.7% lower than at University of California Los Angeles ($13,650 vs. $18,369).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 204.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $31,047 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.8% higher at UCLA than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $3,153 more per year; $49,403.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Los Angeles (94% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Los Angeles students is 23.8% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($25,627 vs. $20,702).

UCLA vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 150 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UCLA 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 Los Angeles 1300/1530; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UCLA vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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 Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $8,700 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($16,300 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($168 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCLA students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 78%)

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.