Christ-centered liberal arts university on San Diego's oceanfront, preparing students for faithful service and professional excellence.
PLNU offers more than 60 academic programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Popular undergraduate majors include Business, Management, Marketing; Health Professions; Psychology; Family and Consumer Sciences; and Biological Sciences. The university launched its first doctoral program—a Doctor of Nursing Practice—in 2017. The institution is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission, with specialized accreditations in nursing, business, teacher credentialing, athletic training, social work, and music.
The main 90-acre oceanfront campus in Point Loma houses over 2,000 undergraduates. PLNU also operates regional centers in Mission Valley, Balboa, and Bakersfield, plus Liberty Station Conference Center and online programs. Students engage in chapel (required for full-time students), debate (National Parliamentary Debate Association champions in 2007), study abroad, honors programs, and community service. The campus features historic Theosophical-era buildings including the Academy Building and Greek theater, alongside modern academic and residential facilities.
PLNU serves traditional undergraduates, accelerated/hybrid programs for working adults, and online learners. The university provides admissions counseling, financial aid support, and multiple pathways to enrollment. International student support and military/veteran resources are available. Specific admission statistics and application deadlines are managed through the admissions office.
As one of eight U.S. liberal arts colleges affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, PLNU integrates Christian faith throughout its curriculum and campus life. The university serves the Southwest Region (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, and parts of Nevada, Utah, and Texas). Chapel attendance is required for full-time students, with freshmen/sophomores attending 33 chapels and juniors/seniors 25 per year. The institution emphasizes spiritual formation, community engagement, and service-minded leadership.