Eastern Mennonite University vs Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) stand as distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. EMU, rooted in the Anabaptist tradition, emphasizes peacebuilding, service, and community engagement, while PLNU, guided by its Christian faith, fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence. With acceptance rates of 75% and 78% respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body, though EMU's smaller size (undergraduate enrollment of 1,200) creates a more intimate learning environment compared to PLNU's larger student population (over 3,000 undergraduates). While EMU excels in fields like nursing, education, and social work, PLNU boasts strengths in business, biology, and psychology. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover further distinctions between these two esteemed universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal values.
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![]() Eastern Mennonite University |
![]() Point Loma Nazarene University |
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Overview |
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Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 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 | 77.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Anabaptists | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.2% | 83.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1040 - 1590 | 1170 - 1350 |
ACT range | 25 - 34 | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 4.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,090 | 3,060 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,038 | 2,560 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 208 | 662 |
Yield rate | 20.0% | 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 | $52,800 | $62,642 |
Average net price | $23,936 | $34,851 |
Tuition | $39,620 | $38,800 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,880
Meal plan:
$5,020
|
$11,300 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
93.0%
Average amount $29,014 |
100.0%
Average amount $18,365 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,310 |
45.0%
Average amount $5,325 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $12,604 |
6.0%
Average amount $22,040 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
958
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7% |
Graduate students |
384
Men 20.8% Women 79.2% |
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 | 34.2% | 26.3% |
International students | 3.9% | 1.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 672 | 1,845 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia Pennsylvania Indiana Ohio Maryland | 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 | 11:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 55.1% | 72.7% |
Dropout rate | 19.3% | 3.8% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 22.9% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master'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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