Point Loma Nazarene University
#6 Best Education Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 76% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,998 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $38,729 F
- 126% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 84% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 10.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.0 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $10.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,386,675.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 57% more than the national college median.
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A 76% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.5%
- Top 48%
- Patents
- 26
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 4
- Downstream influence
Why Point Loma Nazarene University Matters
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private university in San Diego, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,188
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 59
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Point Loma Nazarene University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 84% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1175–1365. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $38,729 a year after grants and scholarships — 126% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,998 ten years after enrolling — 57% above the typical college, against $22,990 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 53% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.82 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Over 3,100 students call Point Loma Nazarene University home. With a high acceptance rate of 84%, this private nonprofit school welcomes a diverse group of learners eager to pursue their education in sunny San Diego. The campus culture emphasizes community and personal growth, making it an attractive option for those seeking a supportive environment.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data on economic mobility is not available for Point Loma Nazarene University, but students can expect a solid return on investment. Graduates earn an average of nearly $64,000 after ten years. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, especially for those who engage fully with the school's programs in business, health professions, or psychology.
Tuition costs at Point Loma Nazarene University stand at approximately $38,729, which may lead to a median debt of $22,990 for graduates. Students who thrive here often have a strong sense of community and a desire to make a difference. Those pursuing degrees in high-demand fields such as education and health will find ample opportunities to connect their studies with real-world applications.
Rankings
- #6 Best Education Colleges in California
- #14 Best Nursing Colleges in California
- #18 Best Business Colleges in California
- #23 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #26 Best Online Colleges in California
- #26 Best MBA Programs in California
- #26 Best Online Education Programs in California
- #35 Best Computer Science Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective Point Loma Nazarene University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Point Loma Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in San Diego, California, Point Loma Nazarene University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1287
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1175–1365
- ACT Range
- 25–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,862
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 3,149
- Admitted
- 2,580
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Point Loma Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Point Loma Nazarene University is $46,250, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,990 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $46,250
- Out-of-State
- $46,250
- Avg Net Price
- $38,729
- Median Debt
- $22,990
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $30,999
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $32,117
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $32,888
- Family Income $110K+
- $41,680
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Point Loma Nazarene University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Point Loma Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $63,998, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,811
- 8 Years
- $59,692
- 10 Years
- $63,998
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (384)
- 65%
- 100% (384)
- 65%
- 100% (384)
- 65%
- 100% (384)
- 65%
How Point Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Point Loma Nazarene University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Point Loma Nazarene University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $38,729/year ($154,916 total). Graduates earn $63,998 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,541,591 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,386,675 (10.0× your investment). The median debt is $22,990, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 76% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $154,916
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,541,591
- Net Return
- $1,386,675
- ROI Multiple
- 10.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $38,729
- Median Debt
- $22,990
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 76%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Point Loma Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Point Loma Nazarene University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.41%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 42.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.41%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 42.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $153,935
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Point Loma Nazarene University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 26 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.48%
- Top 48% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 26
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 4
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,380,495
- Investment Income
- $-4,760,662
Top Programs
The fields Point Loma Nazarene University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 23% $79,396 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $101,241 early-career
- Psychology 9% $35,917 early-career
- Communications 7% $49,829 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $31,312 early-career
- Education 6% $83,353 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Social Sciences 3% $42,441 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Point Loma Nazarene University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Point Loma Nazarene University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in San Diego, California, Point Loma Nazarene University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 76%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Point Loma Nazarene University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Point Loma Nazarene University is $46,250, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $38,729. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $30,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,990 in federal student loans.
Is Point Loma Nazarene University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $63,998, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Point Loma Nazarene University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Point Loma Nazarene University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.41%, well above the typical college. Access is narrower: only about 3.3% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 42.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $113,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Point Loma Nazarene University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Point Loma Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Point Loma Nazarene University.
- Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA · Close peer76% grad $58,336 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR · Close peer73% grad $62,205 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stevenson UniversityOwings Mills, MD · Close peer67% grad $62,079 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY · Close peer75% grad $63,548 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT · Close peer64% grad $58,386 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse, NY · Close peer72% grad $62,731 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Point Loma Nazarene University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Point Loma Nazarene University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note