Point Loma Nazarene University Acceptance Rate
San Diego, California · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 3,065
- Admitted
- 2,506
- Yield
- 26.2%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Point Loma Nazarene University's acceptance rate has risen from 69.5% in 2014–15 to 81.8% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 3,036 to 3,065 (+1%) over that period.
Its 81.8% rate makes Point Loma Nazarene University more selective than about 38% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 84 tracked California schools, it is more selective than about 35%.
In 2023–24, men were admitted at a higher rate (77.9% for women vs 89.5% for men, a 11.6-point gap). Point Loma Nazarene University has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 26.2% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 3,036 | 2,111 | 69.5% | 588 |
| 2015–16 | 2,809 | 2,004 | 71.3% | 599 |
| 2016–17 | 3,162 | 2,195 | 69.4% | 594 |
| 2017–18 | 3,007 | 2,294 | 76.3% | 618 |
| 2018–19 | 3,473 | 2,394 | 68.9% | 657 |
| 2019–20 | 3,277 | 2,414 | 73.7% | 612 |
| 2020–21 | 2,949 | 2,464 | 83.6% | 554 |
| 2021–22 | 3,060 | 2,560 | 83.7% | 662 |
| 2022–23 | 3,149 | 2,580 | 81.9% | 690 |
| 2023–24 | 3,065 | 2,506 | 81.8% | 657 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 2,042 | 1,590 | 77.9% |
| Men | 1,023 | 916 | 89.5% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 590–710 | 10% |
| SAT Math | 550–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 22–30 | 7% |
How Point Loma Nazarene compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Point Loma Nazarene University's acceptance rate?
Point Loma Nazarene University's acceptance rate is 81.8% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (2,506 admitted of 3,065 applicants).
Is Point Loma Nazarene University test optional?
Point Loma Nazarene University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Point Loma Nazarene University?
Point Loma Nazarene University received 3,065 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 2,506.
What SAT score do you need for Point Loma Nazarene University?
Admitted students at Point Loma Nazarene University typically scored 590–710 on SAT Reading/Writing and 550–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Point Loma Nazarene University getting harder to get into?
Point Loma Nazarene University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 69.5% in 2014–15 to 81.8% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.pointloma.edu/.