Academic Comparison between San Diego Mesa and PLNU

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

  • San Diego Mesa is a public and PLNU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • PLNU has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,250) than San Diego Mesa ($10,002).
  • San Diego Mesa has more students with 19,212 students while PLNU has 4,757 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while San Diego Mesa's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • San Diego Mesa has more full-time faculties with 297 faculties while PLNU has 162 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

San Diego Mesa Collegevs.Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Associate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate'sCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$1,146
Out-Of-State$10,002
2025 Tuition & Fees$46,250
54%% Receiving Financial Aid85%
$4,608Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,348
-Acceptance Rates83.68 %
-Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.41 %
-SAT Score1,260
-ACT Score28
35 %Graduation Rate77 %
16 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
-Retention Rate86 %
19,212Student Population4,757
297Number of Faculties162
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services