Academic Comparison between California Northstate and PLNU

California Northstate University and Point Loma Nazarene University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Northstate is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Elk Grove, CA and PLNU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in San Diego, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • California Northstate is a private (for-profit) and PLNU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Northstate has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,600) than PLNU ($46,250).
  • It is harder to admit to PLNU than California Northstate.
  • PLNU has more students with 4,757 students while California Northstate has 981 students.
  • California Northstate has a lower number of students per faculty with 3 to 1 while PLNU's ratio is 13 to 1.
  • PLNU has more full-time faculties with 162 faculties while California Northstate has 106 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
California Northstate PLNU
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Northstate Universityvs.Point Loma Nazarene University
Elk Grove, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-year, Private (for-profit)School Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$61,6002025 Tuition & Fees$46,250
34%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$11,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,348
92.47 %Acceptance Rates83.68 %
5.81 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.41 %
-SAT Score1,260
-ACT Score28
100 %Graduation Rate77 %
-Transfer-out Rate18 %
86 %Retention Rate86 %
981Student Population4,757
106Number of Faculties162
3 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services