Academic Comparison between PLNU and San Francisco State

Point Loma Nazarene University and San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State is a four-year, public school located in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • PLNU has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,250) than San Francisco State ($20,446).
  • It is harder to admit to PLNU than San Francisco State.
  • San Francisco State has more students with 22,563 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while San Francisco State's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • San Francisco State has more full-time faculties with 797 faculties while PLNU has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Point Loma Nazarene Universityvs.San Francisco State University
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationSan Francisco, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$46,2502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$7,846
Out-Of-State$20,446
85%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$19,348Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,110
83.68 %Acceptance Rates96.44 %
21.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.60 %
1,260SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
77 %Graduation Rate50 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate6 %
86 %Retention Rate83 %
4,757Student Population22,563
162Number of Faculties797
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare