Academic Comparison between PLNU and California Northstate

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

  • PLNU is a private (not-for-profit) and California Northstate is a private (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?
PLNU California Northstate
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Point Loma Nazarene Universityvs.California Northstate University
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationElk Grove, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie Classification
$46,2502025 Tuition & Fees$61,600
85%% Receiving Financial Aid34%
$19,348Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,487
83.68 %Acceptance Rates92.47 %
21.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)5.81 %
1,260SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
77 %Graduation Rate100 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate-
86 %Retention Rate86 %
4,757Student Population981
162Number of Faculties106
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio3 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesWeekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Placement services