Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | San Diego, California |
| Online | pointloma.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Religious Affiliation | Church of the Nazarene |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Point Loma Nazarene University occupies a coastal campus in San Diego, California, situated on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the residential Point Loma neighborhood. The private Christian liberal arts institution, affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, operates from a former U.S. Army and Navy training facility that was converted to academic use in 1973. The campus features Spanish Renaissance architecture across its 90-acre grounds, which include academic buildings, residential halls housing most undergraduate students, and multiple ocean-view observation points. While maintaining its religious foundation, PLNU offers undergraduate programs across liberal arts and sciences, with particular emphasis in nursing, business, psychology, and biology, along with select graduate programs. The university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Sea Lions, participating in the PacWest Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
PLNU is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Point Loma Nazarene University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#252 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#189 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#25 in Best Colleges in California
#17 in Best Private Colleges in California
#527 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#37 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1140/1410 |
| ACT | 22/30 |
| GPA | 3.65 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $55 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $938 |
| Other Fees | $950 |
| Room and Board | $12,850 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,530 |
| Total One Year Cost | $60,868 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 23% |
| Health Professions | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering PLNU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121309 IPEDS survey data for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Current students may use the Point Loma Nazarene University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025