University Overview

Pursuing Calling Together Since 1902

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts institution established by Phineas Bresee, primary founder of the Church of the Nazarene. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), PLNU is an NCAA DII school with 11 athletics teams to cheer on and a Christ-centered community committed to whole-person education and helping students fully become who they’re called to be.

Our Mission

PLNU exists to provide higher education in a vital Christian community where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. Being of Wesleyan heritage, we strive to be a learning community where grace is foundational, truth is pursued, and holiness is a way of life.

University Profile

In addition to more than 60 undergraduate areas of study, PLNU offers graduate, doctoral, and undergraduate degree completion programs, serving over 4,600 students across several campuses throughout San Diego County and Bakersfield, California.

UNDERGRADUATE

Fall 2021 enrollment: 3,179 (2,639 traditional, 540 non-traditional)
66% female; 34% male
14:1 student-to-faculty ratio
65% of incoming freshmen graduate within four years
Average incoming freshman HS GPA: 3.90
92% of students receive financial assistance
84% of freshmen return for their sophomore year
54% of students live on campus
39% of traditional undergrad students are racially diverse
73% of incoming freshmen graduate within six years
2021-22 tuition: $38,800

GRADUATE

Fall 2021 enrollment: 1,271
71% female; 29% men
54% of graduate students are racially diverse
72% of students receive financial assistance

For more statistical information, please visit Institutional Research.

A Meaningful Christian Community

Students come from all over the U.S. — and the world — to form a shared university community.

Learn More About the PLNU Community

Thoughtful and Engaged Academics

PLNU students have studied and worked in over 50 different countries and on every continent.

More About Academic Quality

Intentional Career Development

Since 2005, 26 student films/TV programs have won 27 awards and appeared at 52 film festivals.

SAN DIEGO

About San Diego

PLNU is located in the safe San Diego neighborhood of Point Loma. San Diego is the eighth largest city in America and the second largest in California. It is culturally rich and full of all sorts of intrigue.

Did you know there are more than 30 museums in San Diego? Many of those are located within Balboa Park, the nation’s largest “urban cultural” park. The city is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, the Padres, some of the best beaches in the world, and an airport adjacent to a thriving downtown (which is a mere four miles from PLNU’s campus).

San Diego is an exciting, growing economic hub. It’s home to a highly educated population, full of many individuals pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors.

A few key industries:

Arts and Culture
Biotechnology
Cyber Security
Economic Development
Emerging Technologies
International Trade
Life Sciences
Manufacturing
National Defense and Military
Research
Sports and Outdoor Lifestyle
Tourism

Reasons to Love San Diego

10 Coolest Cities in America (Forbes)
Top 10 College Cities & Towns in America (American Institute for Economic Research)
One of the Best Places to Launch a Startup (Forbes)
No. 1 City to Escape Winter (Livability.com)
Top 10 of America’s Thriving Cities (The Daily Beast)
One of the Happiest Cities in the U.S. (Gallup)
Top 10 Best Weather Cities (Farmer’s Almanac)