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.
Eastern Mennonite University logo

Eastern Mennonite University

Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

Overview

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%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Anabaptists Evangelical

Admission

Acceptance rate 95.2% 83.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $50
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

Tuition and Fees

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
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

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

Students and Campus

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
Moderate
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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
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

Outcome

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)
  • Year 1: $62,792
  • Year 2: $62,211
  • Year 3: $67,660
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,201
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $36,040
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,973
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: N/A
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,009
  • 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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