More selective than 35% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
10% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose PLNU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
PLNU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, PLNU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 610 | 695 |
| SAT math | 565 | 670 |
| ACT composite | 25 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1175 | 1365 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
PLNU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 84% | 610–695 | 565–670 | 25–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 82% | 590–710 | 550–700 | 22–30 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is PLNU compared with other California colleges?
PLNU has the 60th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | Otis College of Art and Design | 82% | 66% | $51,248 |
| 57 | University of Redlands | 83% | 67% | $30,031 |
| 58 | Thomas Aquinas College | 83% | 84% | $26,196 |
| 59 | Dominican University of California | 84% | 78% | $35,333 |
| 60 | Point Loma Nazarene University | 84% | 77% | $38,729 |
| 61 | The Master's University and Seminary | 84% | 68% | $32,647 |
| 62 | San Jose State University | 85% | 69% | $13,760 |
| 63 | California Baptist University | 85% | 62% | $26,285 |
| 64 | Simpson University | 86% | 49% | $27,817 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at PLNU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
PLNU admissions questions
What is the PLNU acceptance rate?
Point Loma Nazarene University accepts 84% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,506 of 3,065 applicants were admitted.
Does PLNU require the SAT or ACT?
Point Loma Nazarene University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 10% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for PLNU?
The middle 50% of Point Loma Nazarene University enrolled first-year students scored 1175–1365 on the SAT and 25–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at PLNU?
26% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (657 of 2,506).
Is PLNU getting harder to get into?
Point Loma Nazarene University accepted 84% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 82% for Fall 2023.
Is PLNU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Point Loma Nazarene University overview