Calvin University vs Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
Calvin University and Point Loma Nazarene University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Calvin, a private Christian liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boasts a 79% acceptance rate and a student body predominantly comprised of Caucasian students (76%). On the other hand, Point Loma, a private Christian university in San Diego, California, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 84% and a more diverse student body, with 49% Caucasian, 22% Hispanic, and 13% Asian students. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate programs, Calvin is known for its strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, while Point Loma excels in business, nursing, and education. With graduation rates of 77% and 73% respectively, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and make an informed
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![]() Calvin University |
![]() Point Loma Nazarene University |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | San Diego, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 84.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.1% | 83.7% |
Application fees | $35 |
Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1120 - 1340 | 1170 - 1350 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 61.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 24.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,986 | 3,060 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,992 | 2,560 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 736 | 662 |
Yield rate | 24.6% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,840 | $62,642 |
Average net price | $27,120 | $34,851 |
Tuition | $37,990 | $38,800 |
Room & board | $10,800 | $11,300 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $24,410 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,365 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
43.0%
Average amount $4,987 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,325 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $16,620 |
6.0%
Average amount $22,040 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,068
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7% |
Graduate students |
189
Men 38.1% Women 61.9% |
1,271
Men 29.2% Women 70.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 26.3% |
International students | 11.7% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,453 | 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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 77.3% | 72.7% |
Dropout rate | 7.6% | 3.8% |
Transferred out | 14.7% | 22.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business/Corporate Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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