UC Riverside vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Riverside in Riverside, 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 Riverside is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UC Riverside vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside 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 Riverside than PLNU ($14,562 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 34% lower than at University of California Riverside ($13,650 vs. $20,691).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 196.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $30,644 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at UC Riverside than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $3,556 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California Riverside (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($24,355 vs. $20,702).

UC Riverside vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Point Loma Nazarene University (1270) is 90 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming PLNU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UC Riverside vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside 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).

• Point Loma Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of California Riverside's (67%).
• Graduates from Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $5,891 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($19,109 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($197 vs. $258).
• More PLNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 65%)

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.