Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
San Diego , CA
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private Christian liberal arts university located in San Diego, California. Founded in 1902, PLNU offers over 60 undergraduate programs and several graduate programs in areas such as business, nursing, theology, and education. The university is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and places a strong emphasis on integrating faith and learning, encouraging students to grow spiritually while pursuing their academic and professional goals.
PLNU's picturesque campus is situated atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, providing students with a breathtaking backdrop for their studies. The university is known for its close-knit community and small class sizes, allowing for personalized attention and collaboration among students and faculty. In addition to academic excellence, PLNU is also committed to the holistic development of students, offering various opportunities for involvement in athletics, clubs, and service projects both on and off-campus.
With its diverse academic offerings, faith-based approach, and stunning campus location, Point Loma Nazarene University provides students with a unique college experience. The university's commitment to integrating faith, learning, and service helps students develop a deep sense of purpose and a desire to make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Whether students are pursuing a degree in the arts, sciences, healthcare, or business, PLNU provides a supportive and nurturing environment where students are challenged intellectually, inspired spiritually, and equipped to thrive in their chosen fields.
Located in San Diego, CA, Point Loma Nazarene University is a private university. This school uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 83%. The freshman retention rate at Point Loma Nazarene University is 85.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 77%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is April 15. Read more about what Point Loma Nazarene University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
3,246
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$47,500
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
77%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. What are the admission requirements for Point Loma Nazarene University?
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,731 in 2025.
Test Scores
7.5% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 6% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 15.9% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 56.8% between 1,200 and 1,399, 25% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 2.3% between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 37.1, 42.9 between 24-29, 14.3 in the range between 18-23, and 5.7 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.7. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Point Loma Nazarene University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 648 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 621.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to Point Loma Nazarene University is April 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Point Loma Nazarene University was 85.5%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 77%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2025 was 4,757.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 20.4% for that year. There was a total of 3,246 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 37 international students. 351 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,197 male and 2,314 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 214, and the number of African American students was 67. 860 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 251 identified with more than one race. The school also had 9 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 95 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition in 2025 was $47,500 for full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $950.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant expense. Most students have to spend about $1,090 for books and supplies during their time at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Point Loma Nazarene University was $14,670 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $8,400 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $15,220.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 47,500 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,670 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,090 |
| Total Expense | $ 63,260 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial aid: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Point Loma Nazarene University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 380 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $28,522 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,569 students were awarded some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Point Loma Nazarene University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,610. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $6,674,502, and state $3,907,270. The students of Point Loma Nazarene University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $23,109,104, and external in the amount of $1,785,467.
$14,251
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 221 students overall (including freshmen) at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 71 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $6,674,502 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $2,053,641. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $14,958,184. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,165,061 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Point Loma Nazarene University was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. According to the most recent information, there are 558 faculty members at this school. This number included 226 men and 332 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Point Loma Nazarene University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Its campus spans 93 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? Point Loma Nazarene University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Point Loma Nazarene University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a 24-hour security patrol. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Point Loma Nazarene University.
All in all, campus life at Point Loma Nazarene University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Career Counselling
At Point Loma Nazarene University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA.
-
Point Loma Nazarene University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 47,500 USD per academic year for Point Loma Nazarene University.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Point Loma Nazarene University is 83%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Point Loma Nazarene University is 85.5%.
Contact Information
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
San Diego , CA
92106-2899
619 849-2200
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.