Academic Comparison between PLNU and UCSB

Point Loma Nazarene University and University of California-Santa Barbara 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 UCSB is a four-year, public school located in Santa Barbara, 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 UCSB is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,332) than PLNU ($46,250).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than PLNU.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UCSB's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 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-Santa Barbara
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationSanta Barbara, 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$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
85%% Receiving Financial Aid57%
$19,348Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,405
83.68 %Acceptance Rates32.97 %
21.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.78 %
1,260SAT Score-
28ACT Score-
77 %Graduation Rate83 %
18 %Transfer-out Rate-
86 %Retention Rate93 %
4,757Student Population26,133
162Number of Faculties1,109
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 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