Point Loma Nazarene University
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private research university in San Diego, California, serving roughly 3,188 students. Admission is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of about 83.68% in federal reporting data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $63,998 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $46,250
- 2024 Average Net Price: $38,729 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 83.68% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 3,188 86.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 77.17%
- Average SAT Score: 1287
Point Loma Nazarene University: what the data shows
Common questions about Point Loma Nazarene University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, CA (ZIP 92106-2899).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University public or private?
Point Loma Nazarene University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Point Loma Nazarene University cost?
Published tuition: $46,250.
Average net price after aid: $38,729.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $30,999 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $32,117 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $32,888 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $33,003 |
| $110,001+ | $41,680 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $185,000.
How hard is it to get into Point Loma Nazarene University?
Admission rate: 83.68%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1287 and midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Point Loma Nazarene University?
Total enrollment: 3,188 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Point Loma Nazarene University?
150%-time completion rate: 77.17%.
First-year retention: 85.5%.
What do graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn?
Median earnings: $54,811 six years after entry; $63,998 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,990.
21.44% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Point Loma Nazarene University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Other/Unknown Programs (1,238 completions)
- CIP 520201 (147 completions)
- Agricultural Business and Management (126 completions)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research (116 completions)
- CIP 310505 (74 completions)
- CIP 190706 (65 completions)
- General Psychology (57 completions)
- CIP 422801 (53 completions)
- Elementary Education & Teaching (51 completions)
- CIP 520213 (49 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 83.68%; completion rate 77.17%; median earnings $63,998 at 10 years; net price $38,729. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Costs
Tuition Costs
$46,250
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Point Loma Nazarene University was $46,250.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$38,729
2024 Value
In 2024 Point Loma Nazarene University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $38,729.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$154,916 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$38,729 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$185,000 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
21.44% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
49.87% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Point Loma Nazarene University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Point Loma Nazarene University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $30,356 | $30,356 | $29,865 |
| 2014 | $31,406 | $31,406 | $30,913 |
| 2015 | $32,400 | $32,400 | $31,473 |
| 2016 | $33,500 | $33,500 | $30,718 |
| 2017 | $34,600 | $34,600 | $31,452 |
| 2018 | $35,700 | $35,700 | $32,319 |
| 2019 | $36,950 | $36,950 | $33,044 |
| 2020 | $38,300 | $38,300 | $34,575 |
| 2021 | $39,500 | $39,500 | $33,537 |
| 2022 | $41,100 | $41,100 | $47,107 |
| 2023 | $43,550 | $43,550 | $36,127 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
83.68% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1287
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
86.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2024 is 3,188 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
85.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
67.88% 100% Completion Time
77.17% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 67.88% of students graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Return on Investment
$22,990 Median Student Debt
$63,998 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.92% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
313.11% Return on Investment
3.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Point Loma Nazarene University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
CIP 52.0201: 147 completions
Agricultural Business and Management: 126 completions
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 116 completions
CIP 31.0505: 74 completions
CIP 19.0706: 65 completions
General Psychology: 57 completions
CIP 42.2801: 53 completions
Elementary Education & Teaching: 51 completions
CIP 52.0213: 49 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 1,238 completions
Most popular programs at Point Loma Nazarene University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Point Loma Nazarene University graduates.
About
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private non-profit institution located in San Diego, CA, offering 60 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 3,188 students. The admission rate is 83.68%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1287. The institution maintains a 77.17% graduation rate. Approximately 21.44% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Location
San Diego, CA 92106-2899
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 60 distinct degree programs, Point Loma Nazarene University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
FAQ
How much does Point Loma Nazarene University cost?
Reported in-state tuition is $46,250 and average net price is $38,729 in the latest College Scorecard data.
How hard is it to get into Point Loma Nazarene University?
The admission rate is 83.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data.
What test scores do students need for Point Loma Nazarene University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Point Loma Nazarene University reports midpoint SAT about 1287 and midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn?
Median earnings are $54,811 six years after entry and $63,998 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Point Loma Nazarene University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 77.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Point Loma Nazarene University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,990.
How big is Point Loma Nazarene University?
Total enrollment is about 3,188 students in the latest reporting year.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University public or private?
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private nonprofit institution located in San Diego, CA.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University an HBCU?
No. Point Loma Nazarene University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University a tribal college?
No. Point Loma Nazarene University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—Point Loma Nazarene University reports 27.0% Hispanic enrollment share.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University religiously affiliated?
Yes. IPEDS reports a religious affiliation for Point Loma Nazarene University: Church of the Nazarene.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.