Academic Comparison between Cal State Long Beach and PLNU

California State University-Long Beach and Point Loma Nazarene University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal State Long Beach is a four-year, public school located in Long Beach, 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 State Long Beach 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 State Long Beach ($19,974).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal State Long Beach than PLNU.
  • Cal State Long Beach has more students with 42,003 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Cal State Long Beach's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • Cal State Long Beach has more full-time faculties with 1,117 faculties while PLNU has 162 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Cal State Long Beach PLNU
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California State University-Long Beachvs.Point Loma Nazarene University
Long Beach, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$7,374
Out-Of-State$19,974
2025 Tuition & Fees$46,250
72%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$11,350Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,348
46.27 %Acceptance Rates83.68 %
16.68 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.41 %
-SAT Score1,260
-ACT Score28
69 %Graduation Rate77 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
87 %Retention Rate86 %
42,003Student Population4,757
1,117Number of Faculties162
23 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