Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and PLNU

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Point Loma Nazarene University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, 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.

  • Cal Poly is a public and PLNU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • PLNU has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,250) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than PLNU.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while PLNU has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Point Loma Nazarene University
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$46,250
52%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,348
31.32 %Acceptance Rates83.68 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.41 %
-SAT Score1,260
-ACT Score28
86 %Graduation Rate77 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
96 %Retention Rate86 %
23,069Student Population4,757
931Number of Faculties162
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services