Objective：The current study aims to understand the characteristics and source apportionment of PM_2.5 from Jiangning university town of Nanjing during spring. Methods：Ambient PM_2.5 was collected from Jiangning campus of Nanjing Medical University between March 15^th and May 31^st 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 apportionment was conducted by ion balance analysis，diagnostic ratio method，principal component analysis(PCA)，etc. Results：The average daily concentration of PM_2.5 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 SO₄ ^2- ，NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ . The average ratio of c(NO₃ ^- )/c(SO₄ ^2- )was 0.65，indicating a coal combustion source. PAHs with 4~6 benzene rings were the 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：PM_2.5 pollution is serious in the Jiangning university town of Nanjing. The main sources of PM_2.5 were the fossil fuel combustion and automobile emissions.