Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in San Diego, CA that costs an average of $40,555 a year after financial aid, admits 84% of applicants and graduates 77% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$40,555
Acceptance rate
84%
Graduation rate
77%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$68,713
Private nonprofitLarge city3,188 undergraduates
Cost of PLNU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $64,950 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $48,450 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $14,670 |
| Books and supplies | $1,090 |
| Average net price after aid | $40,555 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $34,042 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $33,911 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $31,096 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $34,180 |
| $110,001+ | $45,177 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with PLNU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 84% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,287 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 610–695 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 565–670 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 25–32 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 77% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 86% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $64,626 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $68,713 |
| Rank in California (earnings) | 70th of 129 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,895 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $249 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 26% |
| Students with federal loans | 49% |
Majors and programs at PLNU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (61)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 205 | $104,802 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 35 | $81,589 | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 53 | $66,457 | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 51 | $63,772 | $21,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 219 | $53,063 | $18,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 89 | $51,184 | $22,995 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 18 | $48,757 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 47 | $48,557 | $18,750 |
| Marketing | 54 | $47,209 | $22,000 |
| Biology | 74 | $45,440 | $18,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 52 | $36,377 | $19,125 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 120 | $35,515 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 88 | $33,152 | $25,188 |
| Psychology | 119 | $31,042 | $23,125 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 31 | — | — |
| Business/Managerial Economics | — | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | 12 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 26 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | — | — | — |
| Data Science | 1 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 36 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | 17 | — | — |
| Economics | 9 | — | — |
| Education | — | — | $24,000 |
| Engineering | 15 | — | — |
| Engineering Physics | 2 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 15 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | — | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | — | — | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 4 | — | — |
| History | 13 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 27 | — | — |
| Journalism | 9 | — | — |
| Leisure and Recreational Activities | — | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 5 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | 6 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | — | — | — |
| Music | 13 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 17 | — | — |
| Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | 10 | — | — |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Physics | 2 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 20 | — | — |
| Psychology, Other | — | — | — |
| Public Administration | — | — | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 8 | — | — |
| Religious Music and Worship | — | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 10 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 8 | — | — |
| Social Work | 19 | — | — |
| Sociology | 24 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 44 | — | $20,393 |
| Sustainability Studies | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 7 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 10 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (16)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 37 | $110,814 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 186 | $77,615 | $48,888 |
| Education | 264 | $70,053 | $49,776 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 60 | $55,222 | $70,343 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 97 | $54,039 | $61,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 108 | $54,012 | $31,758 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Biology | 19 | — | — |
| Curriculum and Instruction | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 5 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | — | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 25 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 8 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 9 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Professional degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | — | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific | Stockton | $24,186 | 71% | $88,053 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | $20,523 | 71% | $74,115 |
| Biola University | La Mirada | $32,530 | 74% | $64,126 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu | $48,065 | 63% | $89,410 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | $22,597 | 88% | $71,595 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks | $26,445 | 76% | $77,620 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands | $30,924 | 83% | $80,659 |
| Art Center College of Design | Pasadena | $48,389 | 75% | $75,975 |
About PLNU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 3,188 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
| Website | pointloma.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is PLNU's acceptance rate?
Point Loma Nazarene University admits 84% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,287 on the SAT.
How much does PLNU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $64,950 a year (tuition and fees: $48,450). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $40,555 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $34,042.
How much do PLNU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $68,713 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 70th of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($104,802 a year after graduation).
What is PLNU's graduation rate?
77% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 86% of first-year students return for a second year.