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Point Loma Nazarene University

PLNU

San Diego, California 92106-2899

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Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeUrbanPrivateBusiness Focus

Known for business

Point Loma Nazarene University is a private institution in San Diego with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1278, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 3.1K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

74% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $63,998 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $50,168.

Established
1902
Mascot
Splash the Sea Lion
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

82%Acceptance
1278SAT Avg
3,132Students
13:1Student:Faculty
74%Grad Rate
$63,998Earnings 10yr
$50,168Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Point Loma Nazarene University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate81.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1278

Reading & WritingMid: 640
590710
MathMid: 620
550700

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2230

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

81.8%

Trend

SAT Avg

1278

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$43,550
Room & Board$12,850
Books & Supplies$938
Total Cost of Attendance$56,664
Average Net Price$50,168
Median Debt at Graduation$22,990
Monthly Payment (10yr)$244

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$44,837
$30–48K$47,378
$48–75K$49,500
$75–110K$51,106
$110K+$51,154

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

50.2%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

24

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

6

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (70)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

86%

Mixed
  • 86% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
3,132
Gender Split
66% / 34%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
23%

Race & Ethnicity

White 53%
Black 2%
Hispanic 26%
Asian 7%
Two+ 8%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate73.8%
Freshman Retention86.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$54,811
10 Years$63,998

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#9
1
vs 2024
Forbes
#263
2
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History The university was founded by six female laypersons in the Church of the Nazarene with the assistance of Phineas F.
  • " The women went ahead with their plan, with money raised from their husbands, and Pacific Bible College opened in 1902 under Principal Mary Hill with 41 students.
  • In 1906, Bresee's interest in the college was piqued with a large donation from Mr.
  • Bresee now saw the possibility for a real liberal arts college in the newly renamed Deets Pacific Bible College.
  • It became one of the first three "official" educational institutions affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 1908, and was named Deets Pacific Bible College in 1909.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SAN San Diego3 mi
LAX Los Angeles108 mi
LAS Las Vegas261 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2583 mi · ~74h 37m drive
New York, NY2432 mi · ~70h 15m drive
Hartford, CT2501 mi · ~72h 15m drive
Providence, RI2566 mi · ~74h 8m drive
Albany, NY2446 mi · ~70h 40m drive
Syracuse, NY2326 mi · ~67h 12m drive
Rochester, NY2253 mi · ~65h 5m drive
Buffalo, NY2188 mi · ~63h 13m drive
Philadelphia, PA2372 mi · ~68h 31m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2118 mi · ~61h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA2281 mi · ~65h 54m drive
Newark, NJ2424 mi · ~70h 2m drive
Washington, DC2275 mi · ~65h 43m drive
Baltimore, MD2297 mi · ~66h 21m drive
Atlanta, GA1893 mi · ~54h 41m drive
Charlotte, NC2082 mi · ~60h 9m drive
Raleigh, NC2201 mi · ~63h 35m drive
Miami, FL2273 mi · ~65h 40m drive
Orlando, FL2142 mi · ~61h 53m drive
Tampa, FL2091 mi · ~60h 24m drive
Nashville, TN1745 mi · ~50h 25m drive
New Orleans, LA1611 mi · ~46h 32m drive
Richmond, VA2257 mi · ~65h 12m drive
Chicago, IL1736 mi · ~50h 9m drive
Detroit, MI1973 mi · ~57h drive
Minneapolis, MN1535 mi · ~44h 21m drive
St. Louis, MO1566 mi · ~45h 14m drive
Kansas City, MO1339 mi · ~38h 41m drive
Indianapolis, IN1790 mi · ~51h 43m drive
Columbus, OH1958 mi · ~56h 34m drive
Cleveland, OH2035 mi · ~58h 47m drive
Milwaukee, WI1740 mi · ~50h 16m drive
Dallas, TX1187 mi · ~34h 17m drive
Houston, TX1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive
Austin, TX1160 mi · ~33h 31m drive
San Antonio, TX1132 mi · ~32h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA109 mi · ~3h 9m drive
San Francisco, CA455 mi · ~13h 9m drive
San Diego, CA5 mi · ~9 min drive
Seattle, WA1062 mi · ~30h 41m drive
Portland, OR930 mi · ~26h 52m drive
Denver, CO837 mi · ~24h 11m drive
Phoenix, AZ304 mi · ~8h 47m drive
Salt Lake City, UT630 mi · ~18h 12m drive
Honolulu, HI2603 mi · ~75h 12m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

San Diego (SAN)3 miles
Rental car
5 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
6 min$4-6
Los Angeles (LAX)108 miles
Rental car
162 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
216 min$130-216

Deadline Calendar

Point Loma Nazarene University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Point Loma Nazarene University — v2 Preview — TourStack