PLNU Admission Requirements

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San Diego, CA
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PLNU Admission Overview

PLNU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year PLNU admitted 83.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (A-) and SAT 1175-1365 / ACT 25-32. PLNU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

PLNU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

PLNU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

83.7%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The PLNU acceptance rate is 83.7%. Last year, 2,732 of 3,265 applicants were admitted. That is the 70th lowest acceptance rate in California.

Admission Selectivity

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

PLNU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Point Loma Nazarene University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.65. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

PLNU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.65

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.65

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at PLNU typically have around a 3.65 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. PLNU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #34 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Point Loma Nazarene University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

PLNU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1175-1365

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 610
Math 565
Composite 1175

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 695
Math 670
Composite 1365

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at PLNU typically score around a 1270 SAT (middle 50% 1175–1365) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 85th percentile nationally. PLNU ranks #27 in the state of California and #240 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1175 to 1365

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

PLNU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Point Loma Nazarene University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1365+	Above 75th	>91%
1270 to 1365	Avg +	84%-91%
1175 to 1270	Avg -	73%-84%
Below 1175	Below mid-50	<73%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

PLNU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 23
Composite 25

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 28
Composite 32

Average ACT

Incoming testers at PLNU typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. PLNU places #23 among colleges in California and #199 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to PLNU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Point Loma Nazarene University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32+	Above 75th	>92%
28 to 32	Avg +	84%-92%
25 to 28	Avg -	75%-84%
Below 25	Below mid-50	<75%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the PLNU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Point Loma Nazarene University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	2,181	1,084	3,265
Accepted	1,763	969	2,732
Acceptance Rate	81%	89%	84%
Enrolled	400	185	585
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	23%	19%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

168

Applicants have 168 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Point Loma Nazarene University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

PLNU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 83.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.65 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1175-1365); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025