Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsPrivate nonprofit
Point Loma Nazarene University
6-yr Graduation
77%
+7.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Total enrollment
4,757
peer median 3,107
Avg net price
$50,168
+$24k vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Use this data
About
Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is a private Christian liberal arts university located in San Diego, California. Founded in 1902, it emphasizes academic, personal, and spiritual growth through a variety of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and online studies. The university is known for its small student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 and its focus on service-oriented education within the context of the Church of the Nazarene.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Applied
3,265
3,265 candidates competed
Admitted
2,732
83.7% acceptance rate
Enrolled
585
21.4% yield
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Overall completion
77%+7.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Overall completion
77%+7.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
4-year graduation
68%
4-year graduation
68%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
77%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
77%
Full-time retention
86%
Full-time retention
86%
Pell equity
2.0pp gap
Pell recipients
72%
Non-Pell
74%
Non-Pell students graduate at a 2.0-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 98 Title IV programs, 15 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 83 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Total programs
98
Passing
15
15.3% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
0
0.0% of portfolio
Fail rate
0.0%
-0.6pp vs 0.6% national
Pass / fail distribution
98programs
- Passing15 · 15.3%
- No Data83 · 84.7%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Critical
0
Severe
0
Recoverable
0
At Risk
0
Watch
0
Safe
15
No data
83
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Program
Typical
Benchmark
EP gap
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Master's Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$64,937
$51,545
National Same-Field BA Median
+26.0%
+$13,392
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Master's Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
+26.0%
$64,937 vs $51,545
Human Development Family Studies and Related Services
Bachelor Degree · Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
$46,119
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+27.8%
+$10,037
Human Development Family Studies and Related Services
Bachelor Degree · Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
+27.8%
$46,119 vs $36,082
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$46,437
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+28.7%
+$10,355
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
+28.7%
$46,437 vs $36,082
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
$47,092
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+30.5%
+$11,010
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
+30.5%
$47,092 vs $36,082
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$99,784
$66,899
National Same-Field BA Median
+49.2%
+$32,885
Business Administration Management and Operations
Master's Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
+49.2%
$99,784 vs $66,899
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$56,198
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+55.8%
+$20,116
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
+55.8%
$56,198 vs $36,082
Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
$57,740
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+60.0%
+$21,658
Design and Applied Arts
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
+60.0%
$57,740 vs $36,082
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor Degree · Security And Protective Services
$59,183
$36,082
Same-State HS Median
+64.0%
+$23,101
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor Degree · Security And Protective Services
+64.0%
$59,183 vs $36,082
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Program
Median debt
Median earnings
Debt burden
Education General
Master's Degree · Education
$42,750
$77,441
55%
Education General
Master's Degree · Education
$42,750 debt · $77,441 earn
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$21,987
$46,437
47%
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
$21,987 debt · $46,437 earn
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$25,000
$56,198
45%
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
$25,000 debt · $56,198 earn
Registered Nursing Nursing Administration Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$56,641
$130,691
43%
Registered Nursing Nursing Administration Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$56,641 debt · $130,691 earn
Special Education and Teaching
Master's Degree · Education
$36,939
$86,603
43%
Special Education and Teaching
Master's Degree · Education
$36,939 debt · $86,603 earn
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
$27,000
$65,365
41%
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
$27,000 debt · $65,365 earn
Allied Health Diagnostic Intervention and Treatment Professions
Bachelor Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$23,500
$59,654
39%
Allied Health Diagnostic Intervention and Treatment Professions
Bachelor Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
$23,500 debt · $59,654 earn
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Master's Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$25,504
$64,937
39%
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Master's Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$25,504 debt · $64,937 earn
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Accredited since 1949Next review Feb 2028
Programmatic accreditations · 10
Action history · 11
- Aug 2025Initial AccreditationAmerican Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education · Occupational Therapy (OTM) - Programs leading to a Master's Degree
- Aug 2025Grant Substantive Change: OtherAmerican Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education · Occupational Therapy (OTM) - Programs leading to a Master's Degree
- Oct 2024Renewal of AccreditationAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics · Didactic Program in Dietetics
- Apr 2024Renewal of AccreditationCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Nursing (CNDNP) - Nursing education programs at the doctorate degree levels
- Jan 2024Approved for Distance EducationAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics · Didactic Program in Dietetics
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Aid exceeds costFamily pays
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Avg net price (private)
$50,168
+$23,544vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs median $26,624
Federal loans
49.8%
In-state tuition
$43,550
Out-of-state
$43,550
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 939 students received $5.2M in Pell grants, alongside $50.3M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients
939
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$5.2M
$5,249,122 total
Direct Loans
$50.3M
4,337 loan awards
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
1k’20
1k’21
1k’22
1k’23
1k’24
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Subsidized$6.4M
1,333 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$7.6M
1,599 loan awards
Unsubsidized · Grad$17.2M
803 loan awards
Parent PLUS$15.2M
455 loan awards
Grad PLUS$4.0M
147 loan awards
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 1,332 borrowers who entered repayment, 4 (0.3%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate
0.3%
-2.0pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
1,332
Defaulted
4
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard
Default rate vs national, by cohort
2016
2.7%-6.6
2017
2.4%-6.8
2018
2.0%-5.0
2019
0.3%-2.0
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Point Loma Nazarene
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Distinct CIP programs66
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered
Top program families by completions
1,093 total completions
01Business
25523.3%
01Business
25523.3%
02Health Professions
21519.7%
02Health Professions
21519.7%
03Education
20218.5%
03Education
20218.5%
04Psychology
11010.1%
04Psychology
11010.1%
05Parks/Recreation
746.8%
05Parks/Recreation
746.8%
06Family/Consumer Sci
686.2%
06Family/Consumer Sci
686.2%
07Biological Sciences
575.2%
07Biological Sciences
575.2%
08Communication
474.3%
08Communication
474.3%
09Computer Sciences
333.0%
09Computer Sciences
333.0%
10Visual/Performing Arts
322.9%
10Visual/Performing Arts
322.9%
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Fall total
4,757
12-mo unduplicated
5,331
Undergraduate
3,521
Graduate
1,810
Gender split
Men
32%1,718
Women
68%3,613
Race / ethnicity composition
White
53.0%
Hispanic
26.3%
Two or more
8.1%
Asian
6.5%
Unknown
2.3%
Black
2.0%
Non-resident
1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.3%
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Athletes
231
87 M · 144 W
Women athletes
62.3%
Athletic aid
$3.1M
Total student aid
Budget
$8.2M
Total expenses
Men vs women · spending splits
Athletic student aid
$1.3M
$1.8M
Recruiting expense
$33K
$27K
Head-coach salaries
$77K
$69K
Men Women
Sport-by-sport · 7
Sport
Men
Women
Expenses
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
—
80
$718,334
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
— · 80 W
Soccer
32
31
$1,506,284
Soccer
32 M · 31 W
Baseball
33
—
$976,005
Baseball
33 M · —
Basketball
13
19
$1,782,902
Basketball
13 M · 19 W
Volleyball
—
19
$720,831
Volleyball
— · 19 W
Tennis
9
8
$408,084
Tennis
9 M · 8 W
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
2.08
9 offenses · 4,319 students
3-year trend
1.732 yrs ago1.351 yr ago2.08Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
23
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
7
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
4
Criminal offenses by type
Motor vehicle theft
5
Burglary
2
Rape
1
Fondling
1
By location
9total
- On campus9
Includes 1 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).
VAWA offenses
0
Domestic violence
1
Dating violence
4
Stalking
5 total under the Violence Against Women Act.
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons00
Drugs01
Liquor057
Residence-hall fires
No residence-hall fires reported.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Student-to-faculty
13.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
168
Point Loma Nazarene vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Point Loma Nazarene selected for federal comparison reporting.
This institutionPeer median
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectPoint Loma Nazarene University | 77% | — | 4,757 | $50,168 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| 59% | 66.0% | 5,219 | $27,401 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 53% | 79.3% | 1,228 | $22,144 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 65% | 63.4% | 2,100 | $20,428 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 62% | 88.4% | 6,272 | $19,798 | R2 Research | |
| 71% | 87.8% | 3,603 | $28,439 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 68% | 74.3% | 5,434 | $28,101 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 70% | 75.7% | 3,351 | $26,433 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 74% | 70.9% | 3,681 | $24,783 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 82% | 65.4% | 9,760 | $47,527 | R2 Research | |
| 72% | 93.5% | 4,916 | $29,981 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 69% | 69.2% | 1,595 | $24,817 | Baccalaureate | |
| 75% | 79.0% | 3,373 | $27,686 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 58% | 68.5% | 2,557 | $18,191 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 71% | 64.7% | 1,635 | $25,537 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 61% | 55.9% | 3,339 | $21,539 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 55% | 82.0% | 4,147 | $32,751 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 62% | 83.4% | 2,261 | $24,820 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 74% | 73.5% | 2,548 | $24,327 | Baccalaureate | |
| 84% | 29.2% | 2,238 | $35,009 | Baccalaureate | |
| 66% | 60.4% | 2,713 | $26,815 | Doctoral/Professional | |
| 70% | 77.0% | 1,310 | $32,926 | Baccalaureate | |
| 85% | 87.4% | 2,874 | $26,984 | Baccalaureate | |
| 71% | 89.8% | 2,314 | $25,884 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | |
| Peer group median | 70% | 74.3% | 3,107 | $26,624 |
Institutions like Point Loma Nazarene
Explore the federal data for institutions in Point Loma Nazarene's comparison group.
- Doctoral/ProfessionalTexas
Abilene Christian University
Grad rate59%Admit rate66.0%Enrollment5,219Net price$27,401View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsIndiana
Anderson University
Grad rate53%Admit rate79.3%Enrollment1,228Net price$22,144View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsKentucky
Asbury University
Grad rate65%Admit rate63.4%Enrollment2,100Net price$20,428View data - R2 ResearchCalifornia
Azusa Pacific University
Grad rate62%Admit rate88.4%Enrollment6,272Net price$19,798View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalMinnesota
Bethel University
Grad rate71%Admit rate87.8%Enrollment3,603Net price$28,439View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalCalifornia
Biola University
Grad rate68%Admit rate74.3%Enrollment5,434Net price$28,101View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsCalifornia
California Lutheran University
Grad rate70%Admit rate75.7%Enrollment3,351Net price$26,433View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsMichigan
Calvin University
Grad rate74%Admit rate70.9%Enrollment3,681Net price$24,783View data - R2 ResearchCalifornia
Chapman University
Grad rate82%Admit rate65.4%Enrollment9,760Net price$47,527View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalOregon
George Fox University
Grad rate72%Admit rate93.5%Enrollment4,916Net price$29,981View data - BaccalaureateMassachusetts
Gordon College
Grad rate69%Admit rate69.2%Enrollment1,595Net price$24,817View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsPennsylvania
Messiah University
Grad rate75%Admit rate79.0%Enrollment3,373Net price$27,686View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIllinois
North Park University
Grad rate58%Admit rate68.5%Enrollment2,557Net price$18,191View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIdaho
Northwest Nazarene University
Grad rate71%Admit rate64.7%Enrollment1,635Net price$25,537View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIllinois
Olivet Nazarene University
Grad rate61%Admit rate55.9%Enrollment3,339Net price$21,539View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalFlorida
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Grad rate55%Admit rate82.0%Enrollment4,147Net price$32,751View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalWashington
Seattle Pacific University
Grad rate62%Admit rate83.4%Enrollment2,261Net price$24,820View data - BaccalaureateIndiana
Taylor University
Grad rate74%Admit rate73.5%Enrollment2,548Net price$24,327View data - BaccalaureateConnecticut
Trinity College
Grad rate84%Admit rate29.2%Enrollment2,238Net price$35,009View data - Doctoral/ProfessionalTennessee
Union University
Grad rate66%Admit rate60.4%Enrollment2,713Net price$26,815View data - BaccalaureateCalifornia
Westmont College
Grad rate70%Admit rate77.0%Enrollment1,310Net price$32,926View data - BaccalaureateIllinois
Wheaton College
Grad rate85%Admit rate87.4%Enrollment2,874Net price$26,984View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsWashington
Whitworth University
Grad rate71%Admit rate89.8%Enrollment2,314Net price$25,884View data
Point Loma Nazarene Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
Office
Office of Institutional Research
Phone
(619) 849-2200
Address
3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
The Office of Institutional Research at Point Loma Nazarene University provides a range of data publications, including annual DataPoint reports and the Common Data Set (CDS) in various formats. The office's contact information includes a phone number, physical address, and links to recent data publications and the CDS.
Visit IR office pageTeam
1 member
- Brent GoodmanDirector, Institutional Research
Reports & documents (3)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookInstitutional Research - Point Loma Nazarene University2025The Institutional Research page at Point Loma Nazarene University provides access to DataPoint publications and the Common Data Set from recent years. Key metrics include enrollment, admissions, graduation and retention rates, and California License Examination Passage Rates. The DataPoints are available for various years up to 2025, and Common Data Set information is provided for the same period.pointloma.edu
- Strategic planOnePLNU2026The OnePLNU initiative by Point Loma Nazarene University is a strategic plan to assess opportunities and prepare for future challenges within the context of higher education. It focuses on cultivating a faith-centered mission, fostering a community of belonging, shaping a future-oriented academy, and stewarding resources wisely. The plan underscores the importance of innovation, engagement with diverse perspectives, and alignment with the university's core Christian values.pointloma.edu
Notable alumni of Point Loma Nazarene (29)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- Micah Albert
- Ally Beardsley
- Ron Benefiel
- Ed Blakely
- Warren S. Brown
- Larry Alan Burns
- Robert D. Clark
- Destin Daniel Cretton
- Jordan Cunningham
- Natalie Harp
- Hoku
- Darlene Hooley
Showing 1–12 of 29
1 / 3
Frequently asked questions about Point Loma Nazarene University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Point Loma Nazarene.
What is the graduation rate at Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University reports a 6-year graduation rate of 77% per the latest IPEDS.
How many students attend Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University reports a total enrollment of 4,757 students per the latest IPEDS.
What is the average net price at Point Loma Nazarene University?
The average net price at Point Loma Nazarene University is $50,168 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.
What is the yield rate at Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University's yield rate is 21.4%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.
Where is Point Loma Nazarene University located?
Point Loma Nazarene University is located in San Diego, California 92106-2899.
Who runs Institutional Research at Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University's IR work is done by the Office of Institutional Research.
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