Objective To understand the characteristics and source appointment of PM2.5 from Jiangning university town of Nanjing during Spring. Methods Ambient PM2.5 was collected from Jiangning campus of Nanjing Medical University from March 15th to May 31st in 2018. Thermal/optical carbon analyzer, ion chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer were used to determine the concentration of carbonaceous components, water-soluble ions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and inorganic elements, respectively. Source appointment was conducted by ion balance analysis, diagnostic ratio method, principal component analysis (PCA), etc. Results The average daily concentration of PM2.5 was 70.24 μg/m3. The ratios of c[organic carbon (OC)]/c[elemental carbon (EC)] mainly were 2.24~10.60, indicating fossil fuel combustion source and secondary pollution. Water soluble ions mainly included SO42-, NO3- and NH4+. The average ratio of c(NO3-)/c(SO42-) was 0.65, indicating a coal combustion source. PAHs with 4~6 benzene rings were most abundant. The results of PCA suggested a mixed coal, petroleum combustion and automobiles emissions source. Fe, Cl, K, Al and Zn were predominant in inorganic elements. Coal and petroleum combustion, automobiles emissions, industrial emissions as well as soil dust contributed to inorganic elements. Conclusion PM2.5 pollution is serious in the Jiangning university town of Nanjing and has a mixed fossil fuel combustion and automobile emissions source.