Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
San Diego, California
81.8% Acceptance Rate
Point Loma Nazarene University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.8%Acceptance Rate
3.65Avg GPA
1278Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$56,664Annual Cost
$63,998Grad Salary
22.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.8%
Avg GPA
3.65
Avg SAT
1278
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1140–1410
ACT Middle 50%
22–30
Need-Based Aid
22.7% receive Pell
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private, Christian liberal arts university in California known for its commitment to academic excellence, faith integration, and community service. With a strong focus on the liberal arts and a supportive campus environment, the university fosters intellectual, personal, and spiritual growth. Its emphasis on preparing students for lives of purpose and professional impact makes it a highly regarded choice for those seeking a values-centered education.
Point Loma Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 81.8% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.65 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.45 – 3.64
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.20
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Point Loma Nazarene University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Point Loma Nazarene University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 94 days left — Early Action
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
PLNU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action
November 15
General Admission (priority)
February 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
PLNU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at PLNU is 3.65. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.35 and 3.65? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.85–4.05.PLNU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.65 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.45 – 3.64
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.25 – 3.44
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.24
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- PLNU requires high school seniors interested in nursing to apply Early Action (Nov. 15 deadline) rather than Regular Decision, due to the program's capped enrollment and competitive nature.
- Nursing is a fully locked major with no internal transfer-in pathway after enrollment - students must be admitted directly as nursing majors from the start.
- PLNU periodically stops accepting nursing transfer applications entirely when the program fills with continuing students - availability should be confirmed directly with admissions counselors before applying as a transfer.
- Two required essays cover distinct territory: one reflecting on PLNU's Community Living Agreement (150-250 words) and one on a cultural/family coming-of-age moment - both are specific, values-oriented prompts rather than generic "why us" or activity-list essays.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at PLNU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Point Loma Nazarene University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if PLNU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into PLNU Without SAT or ACT?
PLNU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Point Loma Nazarene University Average SAT Score: 1278
The average SAT score of admitted students at Point Loma Nazarene University is 1278 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1278 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1410 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Point Loma Nazarene University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1140, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at PLNU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 625 | 550 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 650 | 590 | 710 |
| SAT Composite | 1278 | 1140 | 1410 |
Below 1140, you're behind most admitted students; at 1410 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of PLNU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at PLNU is 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 22 | 30 |
Can I get into Point Loma Nazarene University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of PLNU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at PLNU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for PLNU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into PLNU isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
If nursing is your goal, apply Early Action - PLNU explicitly requires this for high school seniors interested in the program
PLNU states directly that "due to PLNU's capped enrollment and the competitive nature of the Nursing program, we require high school seniors interested in nursing to apply Early Action" (November 15 deadline) rather than the general February 15 priority deadline. Treat November 15 as your hard, non-negotiable deadline if nursing is your intended major - applying Regular Decision for nursing isn't just disadvantageous, it may not be a viable path into the program at all.
Understand that Nursing is a fully locked major at PLNU - there is no internal transfer path in after enrollment
PLNU states explicitly that "Nursing is a locked major - students must be admitted as a nursing major to ever be a part of the program," and PLNU is not currently accepting nursing transfer applications for the 2025-26 cycle due to clinical space constraints. If you're even considering nursing as a possibility, apply as a nursing major directly from high school rather than planning to declare it after enrolling in another major, since PLNU's own structure makes that pivot impossible.
Write the Community Living Agreement essay as a genuine reflection, not a generic "I'll follow the rules" statement - PLNU is assessing fit with a specific lived commitment
PLNU's required 150-250 word essay asks applicants to read the actual Community Living Agreement (a values-and-lifestyle commitment tied to the university's Christian mission) and reflect honestly on both its values and its challenges as a college student. Read the full agreement carefully before writing, and address a genuine tension or growth point you anticipate - admissions readers are evaluating authentic engagement with a real commitment, not just agreement with a rulebook.
For the second required essay, choose a genuinely specific cultural/family/community transition moment - this prompt rewards particularity over general "growing up" narratives
PLNU's second essay asks applicants to discuss "an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community or family" - a prompt explicitly inviting cultural and community specificity, not just a generic maturity narrative. Ground your response in a concrete tradition, ritual, or family/community-specific moment rather than a universal "here's when I grew up" story, since the prompt's wording signals PLNU wants insight into your particular background.
Expert Insight:
Because PLNU's overall acceptance rate sits around 84% and is broadly described as "lightly selective," applicants sometimes assume the nursing program shares that same accessibility - it does not. PLNU periodically removes "nursing" as an application option entirely for transfer students when the program fills with continuing PLNU students, meaning a transfer applicant's timing (not just qualifications) can determine whether nursing is even an option to apply to in a given cycle. Always confirm current nursing transfer availability directly with an admissions counselor before building a transfer plan around this specific major.
PLNU Profile
Full Name
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
City
San Diego
State
California
ZIP Code
92106-2899
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a PLNU Degree Worth It?
Whether PLNU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $71,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.72%.
How much does a degree from PLNU Cost?
The sticker price is $56,664/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
22.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.8% take federal loans at PLNU. File your FAFSA early and list PLNU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a PLNU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $63,998. That's about 58% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Point Loma Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Point Loma Nazarene University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Mercer University | Macon, GA | 1280 | 28 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 1283 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Point Loma Nazarene University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at PLNU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About PLNU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Point Loma Nazarene University run about $63,998 a year.
At about $56,664 a year, Point Loma Nazarene University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Point Loma Nazarene University's Pell Grant rate of 22.7% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 81.8%, Point Loma Nazarene University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Point Loma Nazarene University average a 3.65 GPA.
Point Loma Nazarene University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.35 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.25, Point Loma Nazarene University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Point Loma Nazarene University — aim above 1278, ideally within the 1140–1410 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Point Loma Nazarene University is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 55. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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