Gordon College vs Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)

Gordon College and Point Loma Nazarene University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Gordon College, nestled in the historic town of Wenham, Massachusetts, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its selectivity in admissions. Point Loma Nazarene University, situated in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, offers a more diverse student body, with a higher percentage of international students. While both institutions excel in various academic disciplines, Gordon College is renowned for its strong programs in the humanities and social sciences, while Point Loma Nazarene University shines in business, nursing, and education. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including their graduation rates, popular majors, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the ideal academic environment for your educational journey.
Gordon College logo

Gordon College

Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

Overview

Location Wenham, Massachusetts San Diego, California
Campus setting Suburb: Large City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 79.0% 84.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Interdenominational Evangelical

Admission

Acceptance rate 77.4% 83.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $75
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $50
SAT range 1153 - 1370 1170 - 1350
ACT range 24 - 30 22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 24.0% 15.0%
Students submitting ACT score 8.0% 10.0%
Total number of applicants 1,462 3,060
Total number of admissions given out 1,132 2,560
Admitted students who chose to enroll 317 662
Yield rate 28.0% 25.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $40,910 $62,642
Average net price $25,917 $34,851
Tuition $25,250 $38,800
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,480

Meal plan: $4,220
$11,300
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $26,364
100.0%
Average amount $18,365
Students receiving federal student loan 68.0%
Average amount $7,144
45.0%
Average amount $5,325
Students taking out private loans 13.0%
Average amount $14,683
6.0%
Average amount $22,040

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,368
Men 39.5% Women 60.5%
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7%
Graduate students 436
Men 26.4% Women 73.6%
1,271
Men 29.2% Women 70.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 26.3%
International students 8.4% 1.1%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity 1,390 1,845
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Mississippi Connecticut New Hampshire New York New Jersey California Washington Colorado Arizona Hawaii

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 72.1% 72.7%
Dropout rate 27.7% 3.8%
Transferred out N/A 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,771
  • Year 2: $46,556
  • Year 3: $51,827
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,003
  • Year 2: $27,681
  • Year 3: $42,021
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,123
  • Year 2: $35,954
  • Year 3: $41,684
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,092
  • Year 2: $31,038
  • Year 3: $36,135
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,785
  • Year 2: $33,459
  • Year 3: $33,409
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,365
  • Year 2: $30,228
  • Year 3: $32,774
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,486
  • Year 2: $30,988
  • Year 3: $32,663
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,082
  • Year 2: $21,964
  • Year 3: $27,417
Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,219
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,587
  • Year 2: $27,439
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,619
  • Year 2: $118,210
  • Year 3: $128,990
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,406
  • Year 2: $85,206
  • Year 3: $89,492
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,310
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $80,351
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $66,821
  • Year 3: $76,001
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,749
  • Year 3: $74,448
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,649
  • Year 2: $61,681
  • Year 3: $59,139
Business/Corporate Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,198
  • Year 2: $40,402
  • Year 3: $43,339
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,184
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $43,147
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,147
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $41,978
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,647
  • Year 2: $30,228
  • Year 3: $35,103

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