Point Loma Nazarene University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
San Diego, CA
4.0 1 review

#17 Best Private Colleges in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,757

Location San Diego, California
Website pointloma.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Large City
Religious Affiliation Church of the Nazarene

Best Colleges Rank

#250

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

PLNU is rated within the top 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

6 out of 10
Outcomes

8 out of 10
Value

4 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Point Loma Nazarene University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#250
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#188
Best Colleges in California

#24
Best Private Colleges in California

#17
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#538
Best Value Colleges in California

#37

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Very High

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1175/1365
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 25/32
GPA 3.65

Acceptance Rate

83.7%

Applications Due Feb 15, 2027
Enrollment Rate 21.4%
Application Fee $55

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$46,250

Costs for Point Loma Nazarene University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$46,250
Books and Supplies		$1,062
Other Fees		$950
Room and Board		$13,650
Budget for Other Expenses		$4,448
Total One Year Cost		$66,360

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$53,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

72% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Point Loma Nazarene University are Business, Health Professions, and Visual and Performing Arts. 23% of students major in Business, 11% in Health Professions, and 8% in Visual and Performing Arts.