Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) vs Fresno Pacific University

Point Loma Nazarene University and Fresno Pacific University, both esteemed private Christian universities in California, offer distinct educational experiences. Point Loma, located in San Diego, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Fresno Pacific's (68%). While Point Loma's student body is more diverse, Fresno Pacific has a slightly higher graduation rate (63% vs. 61%). Both universities excel in certain academic areas; Point Loma is known for its strong nursing and business programs, while Fresno Pacific shines in education and psychology. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths, including popular majors, student demographics, and financial aid opportunities, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.
Fresno Pacific University logo

Fresno Pacific University

Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

Overview

Location Fresno, California San Diego, California
Campus setting City: 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 72.0% 84.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Evangelical Evangelical

Admission

Acceptance rate 77.9% 83.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $45
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $50
SAT range 970 - 1240 1170 - 1350
ACT range 17 - 24 22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 10.0% 15.0%
Students submitting ACT score 2.0% 10.0%
Total number of applicants 917 3,060
Total number of admissions given out 714 2,560
Admitted students who chose to enroll 200 662
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 $49,480 $62,642
Average net price $15,350 $34,851
Tuition $32,954 $38,800
Room & board $8,710 $11,300
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

98.0%
Average amount $23,925
100.0%
Average amount $18,365
Students receiving federal student loan 45.0%
Average amount $4,300
45.0%
Average amount $5,325
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $16,889
6.0%
Average amount $22,040

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,686
Men 27.3% Women 72.7%
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7%
Graduate students 838
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 2.2% 1.1%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity 574 1,845
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A California Washington Colorado Arizona Hawaii

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Education
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio 11:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 67.7% 72.7%
Dropout rate 4.9% 3.8%
Transferred out 26.2% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,696
  • Year 2: $83,388
  • Year 3: $86,000
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $65,332
  • Year 3: $71,641
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,408
  • Year 2: $64,493
  • Year 3: $63,188
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,991
  • Year 2: $49,962
  • Year 3: $52,960
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,756
  • Year 2: $45,207
  • Year 3: $52,003
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $47,490
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,284
  • Year 2: $30,119
  • Year 3: $36,806
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,685
  • Year 2: $28,960
  • Year 3: $33,694
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,929
  • Year 2: $25,967
  • Year 3: $26,667
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,437
  • Year 2: N/A
  • 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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