UCSD vs. PLNU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than PLNU based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 4,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. PLNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than PLNU ($14,047 vs. $39,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Point Loma Nazarene University are 28% lower than at University of California San Diego ($13,650 vs. $18,970).
• Point Loma Nazarene University is 176% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $29,492 more per year; $46,250.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at UCSD than at Point Loma Nazarene University (about $4,708 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $46,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University than at University of California San Diego (94% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 24.4% larger than aid received by Point Loma Nazarene University students ($25,757 vs. $20,702).

UCSD vs. PLNU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 110 points higher than at PLNU (1270).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at PLNU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Point Loma Nazarene University 1175/1365.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Point Loma Nazarene University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; PLNU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; PLNU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PLNU (3.65).
• PLNU has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 21.4% at PLNU.

UCSD vs. PLNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Point Loma Nazarene University's (72%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than PLNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than PLNU graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLNU graduates ($191 vs. $258).
• More UCSD 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.