
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a faith-based liberal arts college in San Diego, California, with a 90-acre campus. The university is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and offers over 60 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees. PLNU had a total enrollment of 4,494 students in 2023, including both full-time and part-time students. The university has a diverse student population, with a significant proportion of students receiving financial aid and merit scholarships. Notable alumni include singer Hoku, author William De Los Santos, and filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students | 4,494 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,158 |
| Full-time enrollment | 3,333 |
| Part-time enrollment | 1,161 |
| Percentage of full-time students | 74.2% |
| Percentage of part-time students | 25.8% |
| Percentage of students receiving financial aid | 91% |
| Average yearly cost of room and board | $14,792 |
| Average yearly cost of books and supplies | $1,152 |
| Percentage of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants or loans | 86% |
| Acceptance rate | 81.8% |
| Campus size | 90 acres |
| Tuition and fees | $46,250 |
| Ranking in Best Colleges (2025) | #15 (Regional Universities West) |
| Ranking in Forbes (2019) | #263 (country) and #54 (West) |
| Median mid-career salary of graduates (2019) | $90,100 |
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Point Loma Nazarene University had 4,494 students enrolled in 2023
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a liberal arts college in San Diego, California, affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. The college was first established in Pasadena in 1908 and moved to its current location in Point Loma in 1973. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has a range of extra-curricular activities for students to engage in.
In 2023, Point Loma Nazarene University had 4,494 students enrolled. Of these, 3,333 were full-time students, and 1,161 were part-time students. This means that 74.2% of students at the university were enrolled full-time. The gender and racial demographics of the student population were as follows:
- 49.5% White
- 29.9% Hispanic or Latino
- 7.21% Two or more races
- 6.43% Asian
- 2.74% Black or African American
- 0.423% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
- 0.356% American Indian or Alaska Native
The most common racial-gender groups among full-time undergraduate students were White Female (36.7%), White Male (19.4%), and Hispanic or Latino Female (15.5%). For graduate programs, the most common racial-gender groups were White Female (32%), Hispanic or Latino Female (25.3%), and White Male (13%).
The university has a campus size of 90 acres and offers a variety of ministries and extra-curricular activities for students to engage in. These include chapel, community and discipleship ministries, international and worship ministries, and Alpha Groups for socializing and faith-based activities. PLNU also has athletic teams called the Sea Lions and offers more than 60 areas of scholarship for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
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3,333 students were enrolled full-time
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a liberal arts college in San Diego, California, affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. The college offers more than 60 undergraduate programs for students to pursue, with popular majors including nursing, family sciences, and business administration. In addition to its undergraduate programs, PLNU also offers graduate degrees.
In 2023, the university had a total enrollment of 4,494 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. Of these, 3,333 students were enrolled full-time, while 1,161 were enrolled part-time. This means that 74.2% of students at Point Loma Nazarene University were enrolled full-time, which is higher than the full-time enrollment rate at similar master's colleges and universities (68.2%). The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at PLNU was 86% in 2023, compared to 74% at similar master's colleges and universities.
The student body at Point Loma Nazarene University is diverse, with the enrolled student population in 2023 comprising 49.5% White, 29.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.21% Two or More Races, 6.43% Asian, 2.74% Black or African American, 0.423% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.356% American Indian or Alaska Native. The gender breakdown of the student population varies by program type, with full-time undergraduate programs attracting more women than men (56.1% female vs. 43.9% male) and full-time graduate programs having a more balanced gender ratio (45% female vs. 55% male).
The average yearly cost of room and board at Point Loma Nazarene University was $14,792 in 2023, with additional costs for books and supplies averaging $1,152 per year. Despite these costs, the university provides significant financial support to its students, with 86% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants or loans in 2023 and around 62% of incoming students receiving merit scholarships in the 2019-2020 academic year.
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1,161 students were enrolled part-time
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a liberal arts college in San Diego, California, affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. The university offers over 60 undergraduate programs for students to choose from, with popular majors including nursing, family sciences, and business administration. PLNU also offers graduate programs and holds a semester-based academic calendar.
In 2023, the university had a total enrollment of 4,494 students, with 3,333 full-time students and 1,161 part-time students. This means that around 74% of students at PLNU were enrolled full-time. The breakdown of the student population in terms of race and ethnicity is as follows: 49.5% White, 29.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.21% Two or More Races, 6.43% Asian, 2.74% Black or African American, 0.423% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.356% American Indian or Alaska Native.
The gender and racial composition of the student body varies between undergraduate and graduate programs. For full-time undergraduate programs, the most common demographic group is white female (36.7%), followed by white male (19.4%) and Hispanic or Latino female (15.5%). In graduate programs, the most common demographic group is white female (32%), followed by Hispanic or Latino female (25.3%) and white male (13%).
The average yearly cost of room and board at PLNU was $14,792 in 2023, with an additional $1,152 for books and supplies. 86% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants or loans, and around 62% of incoming students received merit scholarships. PLNU also has a retention rate of 86% for full-time undergraduates, higher than the rate at similar master's colleges and universities.
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86% of students received financial aid
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a liberal arts college in San Diego, California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 3,158 students as of Fall 2023. The university has a lengthy history, having existed for over a century under various names and management. It became one of the first three "official" educational institutions affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 1908.
PLNU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs for students to pursue, with popular majors including nursing, family sciences, and business administration. The university also offers graduate programs at its regional centres in Bakersfield and Mission Valley San Diego.
The university's tuition fees are $46,250, which is slightly cheaper than the national average cost of tuition of $47,890. In addition to tuition, the total cost of attendance includes food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, bringing the total cost to $60,868.
PLNU works hard to make its education accessible and affordable for students through various forms of financial aid, including loans, scholarships, and grants. In fact, about 86% of students received some form of financial aid. PLNU offers need-based and merit-based aid, with the average need-based scholarship or grant for first-year students being $21,903, and the average non-need-based scholarship or grant being $15,382. Need-based aid is determined by the student or their family's financial situation, as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). PLNU also provides merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on talent or academic achievement.
In addition to scholarships and grants, PLNU offers loans as a form of financial aid. Loans must be repaid with interest and are also based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is another option for students, providing an opportunity to gain work experience while helping to pay for living expenses.
The university also offers specific grant programs, such as the Point Loma Forward Grant, which is awarded to students with financial need who meet the eligibility requirements. The Nazarene Matching Grant program is another example, which is specifically for Nazarene students from the Southwest Educational Region. PLNU also provides departmental scholarships, with various academic departments awarding scholarships to selected students each year.
With its commitment to accessibility and a range of financial aid options, PLNU ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can access its educational programs and pursue their academic goals.
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The yearly cost of room and board is $14,792
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a liberal arts college in San Diego, California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 3,158 students as of Fall 2023. The university has a spiritual focus, helping students reach their potential through spiritual growth, academic achievement, and service.
The yearly cost of room and board at PLNU is $14,792. This is an additional expense on top of the annual tuition fee of $42,600, bringing the total expected cost of attendance to $60,868 per year. Students should also budget for educational materials and other fees. Books and supplies are estimated to cost around $938, and there are additional school fees of approximately $950. On top of this, students should budget $3,530 for miscellaneous expenses throughout the year.
The total cost will depend on whether a student chooses to live on or off campus. On-campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $12,850 per academic year. Students who elect to live off-campus should budget at least this amount to cover their living expenses. The net price of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, and the average cost of room and board, is estimated to be $36,370 for students receiving grants or scholarship aid.
PLNU offers financial aid to its students, with around 91% receiving some form of assistance. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 62% of incoming students received a merit scholarship. These scholarships can be earned without submitting test scores.
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Frequently asked questions
Point Loma Nazarene University had a total enrollment of 4,494 students in 2023.
The undergraduate enrollment figure for 2023 is unknown, but the university had 3,158 undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2023. In 2007, there were 2,346 undergraduate students.
The acceptance rate for undergraduate students in 2023 was 81.8%.
3,333 students are enrolled full-time at the university.
The student population at Point Loma Nazarene University is 49.5% White, 29.9% Hispanic or Latino, 7.21% Two or More Races, 6.43% Asian, 2.74% Black or African American, 0.423% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.356% American Indian or Alaska Native.











































