Admit rate has ranged 57%–70% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Biola University is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution in Southern California that combines rigorous academics with a tight-knit, spiritually vibrant community. Known for its strong theology and ministry programs alongside surprisingly robust outcomes (graduates earn 69% more than high school grads), Biola attracts students who want faith integration without sacrificing intellectual heft. The suburban La Mirada campus fosters a warm, supportive environment where 76% of students participate in first-year experiences and 94% complete writing-intensive coursework.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
3,474
In-state tuition
$48,984
Out-of-state tuition
$48,984
Location
La Mirada, CA
Notable Fact
Graduates earn 69% more than HS grads
Acceptance Rate
56-75%
Avg Financial Aid Package
$30,654
Median Earnings 1 Year Out
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$56,778
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$23,875
Graduation rate
68%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
74%
Pell (lower-income) share
53%
First-generation share
24%
Endowment / student
$40,688
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$74,576
Computer Science$47,260
Business/Commerce, General$44,711
Political Science and Government$40,188
Music$39,369
Communication and Media Studies$35,772
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
0.86
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
230
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
47°F
Annual rain
19.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
89
Scholarly works
1,871
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.8%
Bottom → top quintile
26%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Biola University?
Biola University's acceptance rate is approximately 74% (La Mirada, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Biola University?
Admitted students at Biola University typically score 1160–1370 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Biola University cost?
At Biola University, the average net price (after aid) is about $31,495 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Biola University?
Biola University enrolls approximately 3,474 undergraduate students.
Where is Biola University located?
Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA.
Admissions
Biola's admissions process is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 56-75% depending on the year. The university has adopted a Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy, meaning SAT/ACT scores aren't required for freshman applicants—though middle 50% ranges for those who submit fall between 1130-1340 (SAT) and 21-28 (ACT). Accepted students typically have GPAs between 3.13-3.52. Unlike many private universities, Biola doesn't accept the Common Application, requiring applicants to use its own system instead.
Biola offers a surprisingly expansive academic portfolio for a mid-sized Christian university: 47 undergraduate majors across four baccalaureate degrees, plus 21 master's and eight doctoral programs. The curriculum emphasizes writing (94% of students complete writing-intensive courses) and capstone experiences (76% participate in senior culminating projects). Standout programs include theology, ministry, and communication, but the university also offers unexpected breadth in areas like political science, sociology, and theater. Reddit threads describe the academics as 'rigorous at just the right level'—challenging enough to push students without overwhelming them.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$33,993
English Language and Literature, General$31,670
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Biola revolves around its tight-knit Christian community. Students describe the campus as 'warm, welcoming, and supportive,' with abundant opportunities for spiritual growth alongside typical college activities. About 3,474 undergraduates live in suburban La Mirada, where campus housing costs average $12,490 annually. The university emphasizes first-year experiences (76% participation) and fosters connections through clubs, intramurals, and chapel services. Recent Instagram posts showcase students bonding over coffee chats, beach trips, and commencement traditions—a testament to Biola's relational culture.
Biola punches above its weight in graduate outcomes: alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation—69% more than the average high school graduate. The university has received national recognition for student success, including Money Magazine highlighting its strong return on investment. Retention and graduation rates are tracked closely (though specific percentages aren't cited in available sources), with the Department of Education's College Scorecard noting Biola's focus on minimizing student debt while maximizing career preparation.
With a sticker price of $50,904 for tuition and fees, Biola isn't cheap—but the university awards over $70 million annually in scholarships and aid. Merit-based academic scholarships range from $14,000 to $24,500, and 61.29% of students receive financial aid with an average package of $30,654. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests many students pay around $30,510 after grants, though costs vary based on family income and academic standing.
Biola occupies a unique niche: a theologically conservative university that doesn't sacrifice academic rigor or career outcomes. Its strength lies in blending spiritual formation (daily chapel, mission trips) with surprisingly strong ROI—graduates' earnings outpace many secular peers. The suburban SoCal location offers proximity to Los Angeles without urban chaos, while the 3,474-student body creates an 'everyone knows your name' vibe. For students seeking a faith-based education that still opens doors, Biola delivers both community and credibility.
Biola University logo · sourceBiola University - A Private Christian University in Southern California · sourcePlan Your Visit - Biola University · sourceExplore Southern California - Biola University · source
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