Point Loma Nazarene University SAT Scores and GPA

What are Point Loma Nazarene University's average SAT scores and GPA? In this guide, we'll discuss what scores are needed for you to get admitted into Point Loma Nazarene University. You'll also get to calculate your own chances with our admissions calculator.

Location: San Diego, CA

This school is also known as: PLNU

Point Loma Nazarene University Admissions Statistics

There are three critical numbers when considering your admissions chances: SAT scores, GPA, and acceptance rate. All these combine to tell you what you scores are required to get into Point Loma Nazarene University.


Average SAT: 1230

The average SAT score composite at Point Loma Nazarene University is a 1230.

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Point Loma Nazarene University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1140, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1300.

In other words, a 1140 places you below average, while a 1300 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Point Loma Nazarene University, but they really want to see at least a 1140 to have a chance at being considered.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
Math610560650
Reading + Writing620580650
Composite123011401300

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Average GPA: 3.86

The average GPA at Point Loma Nazarene University is 3.86. This makes Point Loma Nazarene University Extremely Competitive for GPAs.

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.86, Point Loma Nazarene University requires you to be near the top of your class, and well above average. You'll need mostly A's, ideally with several AP or IB classes to help show your preparation at a college level.

If you're a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change from this point on. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.86, you'll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you're prepared to take on college academics. This will help you compete effectively with other applicants.



Admissions Rate: 68.9%

The acceptance rate at Point Loma Nazarene University is 68.9%. In other words, of 100 students who apply, 69 are admitted.

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This means the school is somewhat selective. You should prepare your academic scores well, but you have an excellent chance if you impress them.



Final Admissions Verdict

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Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission. Scoring at a 1230 SAT or above will already give you a great shot at getting in. Scoring a 1300 will nearly guarantee you admission, given that your GPA is roughly the average of 3.86.


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Admissions Calculator

What are your chances of admission at Point Loma Nazarene University?
Chances of admission with these scores:

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.

Pick your test: SAT ACT

SAT Score
Your GPA

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
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Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Point Loma Nazarene University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Point Loma Nazarene University.


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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Point Loma Nazarene University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX 1350 30
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 1335 29
University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 1315 29
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY 1300 30
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA 1290 29
Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 1275 28
United States Military Academy West Point, NY 1270 28

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Point Loma Nazarene University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 1250 28
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX 1250 28
Temple University Philadelphia, PA 1238 27
Auburn University Auburn University, AL 1235 28
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1235 25
Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ 1231 26
University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 1210 26

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Point Loma Nazarene University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Point Loma Nazarene University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1184 27
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT 1175 26
Ohio University Athens, OH 1170 24
University of North Texas Denton, TX 1160 23
California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA 1145 23
Pace University New York, NY 1140 25
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL 1135 23

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