The women went ahead with their plan, with money raised from their husbands, and Pacific Bible College opened in 1902 under Principal Mary Hill.

It became one of the first three "official" educational institutions affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene in 1908, and was named Deets Pacific Bible College in 1909.

PLNU has different locations besides the main campus in Point Loma, with graduate programs at regional centers in Bakersfield, and Mission Valley San Diego.

Before it served as the Point Loma Nazarene University campus, the area was the location of a Theosophical commune run by Katherine Tingley.

Both buildings were constructed in the Theosophical vernacular that included the flattened arch motif and whimsical references to antiquity.

The entrance to the Academy Building was dominated by two massive carved doors that symbolized the Theosophical Principles of "spiritual enlightenment" and "human potential."

[7] The interior furnishings he carved for the Academy Building were influenced by the Symbolist style popular in Europe at that time.

The building combines late-Victorian wooden architecture with historical motifs such as the modified Corinthian column (now shaped like a papyrus leaf) and flattened arches.

The amethyst dome was restored by a team of scholars led by Dr. Dwayne Little of the PLNC department of History and Political Science in 1983.

[29] PLNU hosts numerous denominational and local community events: arts & culture gatherings,[30] outdoor activities,[31] and faith and ministry opportunities.

The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) since the 2012–13 academic year.

They were also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level.

[35] Notable alumni include Edward J. Blakely, educator and researcher on urban and suburban issues,[36] James Dobson, evangelical psychologist, Greg Laswell, musician and producer, Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, and Nazarene theologian.

Hoku, singer and daughter of the late Don Ho, studied business at PLNU briefly, but left during her first semester.

Micah Albert, photojournalist who has covered issues in Africa and the Middle East, earned a degree in graphic communications.

Dawson Daughtery and Luke Fabry of the band Almost Monday also attended Point Loma Nazarene University.

Notable faculty members include Frank G. Carver, Wesleyan Center Scholar in Residence; Darrel R. Falk, author of Coming to Peace with Science; and director of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute outreach program, Michael Lodahl.