2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More

$34,851

Net Price

84%

Admitted

26%

Enrolled

73%

Graduation Rate

15/1

Student / Faculty

University Detail

Point Loma Nazarene University

is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 4,445. In 2021, there were 151 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #37 in California and ranks #561 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.

Psychology Degrees Offered

Bachelor, Master

Psychology Graduates

151

Total Enrollment

4,445

Type

Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years

Institution Accreditation

WASC Senior College and University Commission

Ranking for Point Loma Nazarene University

Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.

#37

California Rank

Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, Point Loma Nazarene University ranks #37.

#561

U.S. Rank

Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Point Loma Nazarene University ranks #561.

Psychology Programs Offered

For psychology degrees, Point Loma Nazarene University offers General Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Clinical Psychology and Counseling and Applied Psychology.

In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.

Psychology Graduates in 2021BSMA
Clinical Psychology34
Counseling and Applied Psychology34
General Psychology71
Social Work12
Total Graduates8368
US Department of Education

Admission, Enrollment, Graduation

In the fall of 2021, 3,060 students applied to the Point Loma Nazarene University. The university admitted 84% and 26% of those who were admitted also enrolled.

By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.

The percentage of Point Loma Nazarene University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 84%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.

The overall graduation rate for Point Loma Nazarene University is 73%, compared to 66% for all California universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 31%.

  • Credits Accepted: Dual enrollment, Advanced placement (AP) credits

Compare PLNU to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees

Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Point Loma Nazarene University to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.

Why it Matters

Compare Admission and Enrollment

Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.

PLNU

3,060

Applicants

84%

Percent Admitted

26%

Percent Enrolled

84%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

73%

Graduation Rate

CA Colleges

21,883

Applicants

64%

Percent Admitted

22%

Percent Enrolled

72%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

66%

Graduation Rate

Student & Faculty Information

In the fall of 2021, there were 141 or 34% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 276 or 66% part-time faculty members employed at Point Loma Nazarene University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 141 or 34%.

Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.

Why it Matters

Compare Faculty Numbers

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.

PLNU

15 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

34%

Percent Full-Time

66%

Percent Part-Time

34%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

CA Colleges

19 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

40%

Percent Full-Time

60%

Percent Part-Time

39%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

Tuition and Student Expenses

For the 2021-2022 academic year at Point Loma Nazarene University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $38,800, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,126.

For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $11,880 and the average cost for graduate fees is $0.

In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Point Loma Nazarene University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.

Expenses for Point Loma Nazarene University2021-2022
On Campus Room & Board$11,300
On-Campus Living Expenses$2,980
Total Living Expenses$14,280
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$38,800
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$1,126
Total Undergraduate Expenses$54,206
In-State, Graduate Tuition$11,880
In-State, Graduate Fees$0
Total Graduate Expenses$11,880
US Department of Education

Net Price

Average Net Price

The average net price to attend Point Loma Nazarene University is $34,851. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.

In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.

Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.

Compare Point Loma Nazarene University to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.

For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.

Why it Matters

Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.

PLNU

$54,206

Cost to Attend

$17,675

Average Financial Aid

100%

Percent Receiving Aid

$34,851

Net Price

CA Colleges

$33,186

Cost to Attend

$9,615

Average Financial Aid

80%

Percent Receiving Aid

$14,526

Average Net Price

Financial Aid

The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 553 or 100%.

The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 2,998 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $17,675.

All Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid# Receiving AidAverage Aid Received
Grant or Scholarship Aid2,998$17,675
Pell Grants851$4,507
Federal Student Loans1,609$7,609
US Department of Education

Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Point Loma Nazarene University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.

We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.

Why it Matters

Compare Financial Aid

Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.

PLNU

2,998

Grant or Scholarship Aid

55%

Grants or Scholarships

851

Number of Pell Grants

16%

Pell Grants

1,609

Federal Student Loans

29%

Federal Student Loans

CA Colleges

6,293

Grant or Scholarship Aid

60%

Grants or Scholarships

3,062

Number of Pell Grants

29%

Pell Grants

1,114

Federal Student Loans

11%

Federal Student Loans

See Additional Psychology Schools for California.

psychology Source Data from

See all data sources including 1,934 Psychology School Programs