Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) vs Pepperdine
Point Loma Nazarene University and Pepperdine University, both esteemed private Christian institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Point Loma, located in San Diego, California, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Pepperdine's selective 34%. Pepperdine, situated in Malibu, California, stands out with its higher graduation rate (88%) and a larger student body (8,344 undergraduates) compared to Point Loma's 3,600. While Point Loma's popular majors include nursing, business, and psychology, Pepperdine offers a wider range of programs, including business, communication, and public policy. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Pepperdine University |
![]() Point Loma Nazarene University |
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Overview |
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Location | Malibu, California | 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 | 93.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Churches of Christ | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.7% | 83.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1260 - 1440 | 1170 - 1350 |
ACT range | 25 - 30 | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 19.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,855 | 3,060 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,249 | 2,560 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,024 | 662 |
Yield rate | 16.4% | 25.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,152 | $62,642 |
Average net price | $40,945 | $34,851 |
Tuition | $59,450 | $38,800 |
Room & board | $16,700 | $11,300 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $36,967 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,365 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
38.0%
Average amount $5,171 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,325 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $12,899 |
6.0%
Average amount $22,040 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,708
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7% |
Graduate students |
6,738
Men 30.2% Women 69.8% |
1,271
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 46.9% | 26.3% |
International students | 8.3% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,579 | 1,845 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Texas Washington Colorado Arizona | California Washington Colorado Arizona Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 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 |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.0% | 72.7% |
Dropout rate | 16.6% | 3.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 22.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business/Corporate Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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