Academic Comparison between PLNU and UCSD

Point Loma Nazarene University and University of California-San Diego 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 UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, 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 UCSD is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • UCSD has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,676) than PLNU ($46,250).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than PLNU.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 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-San Diego
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationLa Jolla, 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 (very high research activity)
$46,2502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
85%% Receiving Financial Aid59%
$19,348Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,806
83.68 %Acceptance Rates26.71 %
21.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.41 %
1,260SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
77 %Graduation Rate86 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate4 %
86 %Retention Rate94 %
4,757Student Population44,256
162Number of Faculties3,101
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), 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