Academic Comparison between PLNU and UC Merced

Point Loma Nazarene University and University of California-Merced 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 UC Merced is a four-year, public school located in Merced, 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 UC Merced is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • UC Merced has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,541) than PLNU ($46,250).
  • It is harder to admit to PLNU than UC Merced.
  • UC Merced has more students with 9,110 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UC Merced's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UC Merced has more full-time faculties with 428 faculties while PLNU has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Point Loma Nazarene Universityvs.University of California-Merced
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationMerced, 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$14,653
Out-Of-State$46,541
85%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$19,348Average Amount of Financial Aid$24,780
83.68 %Acceptance Rates90.53 %
21.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)7.24 %
1,260SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
77 %Graduation Rate69 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
86 %Retention Rate82 %
4,757Student Population9,110
162Number of Faculties428
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycare