Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) vs Shenandoah U

Point Loma Nazarene University and Shenandoah University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Point Loma Nazarene University, located in San Diego, California, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Shenandoah University's 75% in Winchester, Virginia. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Point Loma Nazarene University is known for its strengths in nursing, business, and psychology, while Shenandoah University excels in health professions, music, and business. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions between these two universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Point Loma Nazarene University logo

Point Loma Nazarene University

Shenandoah University logo

Shenandoah University

Overview

Location San Diego, California Winchester, Virginia
Campus setting City: Large City: Small
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 84.0% 76.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation Evangelical Methodism

Admission

Acceptance rate 83.7% 74.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $55

Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $30

Graduate: $30
SAT range 1170 - 1350 N/A
ACT range 22 - 30 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 15.0%
Students submitting ACT score 10.0%
Total number of applicants 3,060 2,616
Total number of admissions given out 2,560 1,945
Admitted students who chose to enroll 662 509
Yield rate 25.9% 26.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $62,642 $49,610
Average net price $34,851 $29,077
Tuition $38,800 $33,140
Room & board $11,300 $11,020
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $18,365
100.0%
Average amount $19,733
Students receiving federal student loan 45.0%
Average amount $5,325
94.0%
Average amount $5,736
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $22,040
15.0%
Average amount $19,715

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,174
Men 34.3% Women 65.7%
2,416
Men 38.2% Women 61.8%
Graduate students 1,271
Men 29.2% Women 70.8%
1,871
Men 22.3% Women 77.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 26.3% 47.2%
International students 1.1% 1.2%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,845 1,185
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Washington Colorado Arizona Hawaii Virginia Maryland Pennsylvania West Virginia North Carolina

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 11:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 72.7% 64.0%
Dropout rate 3.8% 18.4%
Transferred out 22.9% 17.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $111,275
  • Year 2: $118,737
  • Year 3: $125,770
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,265
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $113,374
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $103,402
  • Year 2: $100,108
  • Year 3: $104,182
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $93,531
  • Year 2: $77,401
  • Year 3: $86,370
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,152
  • Year 2: $76,083
  • Year 3: $82,110
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,690
  • Year 2: $62,911
  • Year 3: $61,865
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,799
  • Year 2: $65,131
  • Year 3: $60,303
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,356
  • Year 2: $53,045
  • Year 3: $55,231
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,313
  • Year 2: $39,585
  • Year 3: $47,322
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $42,932

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