Anderson University vs Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)

Anderson University and Point Loma Nazarene University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Anderson University, nestled in the charming town of Anderson, Indiana, boasts a tight-knit community and a strong emphasis on Christian values. Point Loma Nazarene University, situated in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, is renowned for its picturesque campus and its commitment to academic excellence. While both universities share a dedication to providing a well-rounded education, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Anderson University logo

Anderson University

Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

Overview

Location Anderson, Indiana San Diego, California
Campus setting City: Small City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 67.0% 84.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Pentecostal Evangelical

Admission

Acceptance rate 62.4% 83.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $50
SAT range 960 - 1160 1170 - 1350
ACT range 18 - 25 22 - 30
Students submitting SAT score 49.0% 15.0%
Students submitting ACT score 17.0% 10.0%
Total number of applicants 4,391 3,060
Total number of admissions given out 2,742 2,560
Admitted students who chose to enroll 317 662
Yield rate 11.6% 25.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $44,950 $62,642
Average net price $23,217 $34,851
Tuition $32,260 $38,800
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,460

Meal plan: $5,250
$11,300
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $22,955
100.0%
Average amount $18,365
Students receiving federal student loan 69.0%
Average amount $5,396
45.0%
Average amount $5,325
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $13,988
6.0%
Average amount $22,040

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,159
Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7%
Graduate students 186
Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
1,271
Men 29.2% Women 70.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 26.3%
International students 1.7% 1.1%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Large
Dormitory capacity 1,183 1,845
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A California Washington Colorado Arizona Hawaii

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 63.0% 72.7%
Dropout rate 19.9% 3.8%
Transferred out 17.1% 22.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,702
  • Year 2: $65,238
  • Year 3: $70,253
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,649
  • Year 2: $56,035
  • Year 3: $58,076
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,563
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $47,724
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,076
  • Year 2: $38,829
  • Year 3: $42,033
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,674
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $40,251
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,965
  • Year 2: $38,529
  • Year 3: $39,453
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $28,055
  • Year 3: $37,519
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,345
  • Year 2: $26,585
  • Year 3: $28,376
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $23,649
  • Year 3: N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,619
  • Year 2: $118,210
  • Year 3: $128,990
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,406
  • Year 2: $85,206
  • Year 3: $89,492
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,310
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $80,351
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $66,821
  • Year 3: $76,001
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,749
  • Year 3: $74,448
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,649
  • Year 2: $61,681
  • Year 3: $59,139
Business/Corporate Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,198
  • Year 2: $40,402
  • Year 3: $43,339
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,184
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $43,147
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,147
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $41,978
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,647
  • Year 2: $30,228
  • Year 3: $35,103

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