P
#17 Best Private Colleges in California

PLNU Admission Requirements

San Diego, California

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Your chances of getting into Point Loma Nazarene University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

81.8%
Admission Difficulty for Point Loma Nazarene University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at PLNU is 81.8%.  Its admission rate is the 72nd lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into PLNU and can you get accepted?

Point Loma Nazarene University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,506 out of the 3,065 who applied were admitted.

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.

Can you get into PLNU?

82% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Point Loma Nazarene University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.65 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1280 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

PLNU GPA

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?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into PLNU are to have around a 3.65 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.65 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as PLNU accepts 82% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at PLNU is 3.65 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #34 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since PLNU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

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

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

PLNU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Point Loma Nazarene University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 10% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1410

Applicants Submitting SAT 

10%
SAT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 550
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 710
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1410
Average SAT Score 1280

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at PLNU is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1410. Students who get into Point Loma Nazarene University score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  PLNU ranks #25 in the state of California and #229 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. PLNU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Point Loma Nazarene University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1275, you have around a 82% chance of being admitted. A 1410 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 90% chance of getting in.

Point Loma Nazarene University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1410 and Above Good >90%
1275 to 1410 Avg + 82%-90%
1140 to 1275 Avg - 71%-82%
1005 to 1140 Reach 56%-71%
Less than 1005 Low <56%
Calculate My Chances 

PLNU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Point Loma Nazarene University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to PLNU is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 30.  The school ranks #32 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Point Loma Nazarene University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Point Loma Nazarene University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into PLNU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 82% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 90% with a 30 ACT score.

Point Loma Nazarene University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >90%
26 to 30 Avg + 82%-90%
22 to 26 Avg - 71%-82%
18 to 22 Reach 56%-71%
Less than 18 Low <56%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

58% of Point Loma Nazarene University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 31% are in the top ten percent.

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

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Point Loma Nazarene University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,042 1,023 3,065
Accepted 1,590 916 2,506
Acceptance Rate 78% 90% 82%
Enrolled 455 202 657
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 22% 26%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Feb 15, 2025.

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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Point Loma Nazarene University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.65 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1280 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Point Loma Nazarene University often consider these colleges

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

Last updated February 24, 2025