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#21 Best Private Colleges in California

PLNU Admission Requirements

San Diego, California

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Chances of getting into Point Loma Nazarene University

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
84%
Admission Difficulty for Point Loma Nazarene University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 
How hard is it to get into PLNU and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at PLNU is 84%.  It ranks #75 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Point Loma Nazarene University is an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission requirements. Last year, 2,560 out of 3,060 applicants were admitted.

The school has difficult admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 33 percent on standardized admission tests. Point Loma Nazarene University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 26% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The PLNU application fee is $55 and applications are due by Feb 15.

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Point Loma Nazarene University. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 15% of students submitted SAT scores and 10% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

PLNU SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1170-1350
Applicants Submitting SAT 
15%
SAT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 600
SAT Math 25th 570
SAT Composite 25th 1170
SAT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 680
SAT Math 75th 670
SAT Composite 75th 1350
Average SAT Score 1260

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Point Loma Nazarene University?

Point Loma Nazarene University is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into Point Loma Nazarene University score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1170-1350.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

Point Loma Nazarene University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1350 and Above Good >91%
1260 to 1350 Avg + 84%-91%
1170 to 1260 Avg - 73%-84%
1080 to 1170 Reach 59%-73%
Less than 1080 Low <59%
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PLNU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
22-30 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
10%
ACT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 22
ACT Math 25th 22
ACT Composite 25th 22
ACT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 33
ACT Math 75th 28
ACT Composite 75th 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into PLNU?

Point Loma Nazarene University is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

PLNU regularly accepts students who score 22 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 37 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 22-30.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Point Loma Nazarene University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >91%
26 to 30 Avg + 84%-91%
22 to 26 Avg - 73%-84%
18 to 22 Reach 59%-73%
Less than 18 Low <59%
Calculate My Chances 

PLNU GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.65
Typical High School Grades 
B+

What GPA do you need to get into Point Loma Nazarene University?

Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into PLNU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Point Loma Nazarene University was 3.65 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #35 in California for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.65 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as PLNU accepts 84% of all applicants.

 What do these ratings mean?

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High School GPA's for admitted Point Loma Nazarene University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 9.7% Good
3.75 to 3.99 36.7% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 27.3% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.4% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.3% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.3% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.3% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

58.3% of Point Loma Nazarene University freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Point Loma Nazarene University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 31.1%
Top 25% of class 58.3%
Top 50% of class 87%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Point Loma Nazarene University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,075 985 3,060
Accepted 1,667 893 2,560
Acceptance Rate 80% 91% 84%
Enrolled 427 235 662
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 26% 26% 26%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Feb 15, 2023
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Feb 15, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Point Loma Nazarene University is $55.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Point Loma Nazarene University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Point Loma Nazarene University Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Point Loma Nazarene University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=121309 IPEDS survey data for Point Loma Nazarene University.

FAQs

Does Point Loma Nazarene University prefer SAT or ACT?

15% of students submit their SAT scores to PLNU. 10% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Point Loma Nazarene University?

84% of those who apply are granted admission to PLNU. Admission competition is and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Point Loma Nazarene University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1170 and 1350. 15% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Point Loma Nazarene University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 22 and 30. 10% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.