Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and PLNU

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Point Loma Nazarene University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA and PLNU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in San Diego, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cal Poly is a public and PLNU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • PLNU has more expensive tuition & fees ($43,550) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than PLNU.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 22,000 students while PLNU has 4,319 students.
  • PLNU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 881 faculties while PLNU has 149 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Point Loma Nazarene University
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSan Diego, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees$43,550
50%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$16,826
29.75 %Acceptance Rates81.76 %
27.83 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)26.22 %
-SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score27
85 %Graduation Rate75 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate19 %
94 %Retention Rate85 %
22,000Student Population4,319
881Number of Faculties149
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services