
San Dimas, CAprivate nonprofitlifepacific.edu
Admit rate has ranged 91%–94% over the last 5 years, though the latest figure above (96%) falls outside that window. 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.
Life Pacific University is a small, private Christian university in San Dimas, California, that operates with a clear and singular mission: to integrate biblical faith with academic study. Its identity is defined by a Pentecostal, Christ-centered perspective, a close-knit community, and a practical focus on preparing students for ministry and service-oriented careers. With an exceptionally high acceptance rate and a strong commitment to financial aid, it serves as an accessible gateway for students seeking a faith-based education.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
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.
Campus & location
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.
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.
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.
Life Pacific University maintains an accessible admissions process, characterized by a high . The university has a policy for admissions. For those who do submit scores, the typical SAT score range for admitted students is between 930 and 1,110, while the ACT range is 17 to 22. The average high school GPA of incoming students is reported as 2.91. The application fee is $50. The university also offers a dual enrollment program for qualified high school students to earn college credit.
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.
Academics at LPU are explicitly designed to "integrate biblical studies, faith, leadership, and learning in a scholarly environment that cultivates critical and creative thinking." The curriculum is taught from a Pentecostal, Christian perspective, aiming to develop skills in communication, critical thinking, and values formation rooted in biblical truth. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and online programs. The most popular majors reflect its mission-driven focus: Pastoral Studies/Counseling, Behavioral Sciences, and Business Administration and Management. The Associate of Arts in General Studies provides a broad curriculum from this faith-based viewpoint.
Student life at Life Pacific is built around a "warm and close-knit community atmosphere" where students form meaningful relationships with peers and professors. The university is committed to Christian values and aims to provide a campus community free from harassment. Experiential and cross-cultural learning are key values, with opportunities for students to participate in off-campus learning experiences. The community extends beyond the main San Dimas campus to include church partner locations. The environment is designed to support students in growing spiritually and academically as they step into their calling.
Life Pacific University's outcomes reflect its unique mission and student body. The first-year retention rate is 73%. In recent rankings, LPU has earned recognition for its value and social mobility impact, ranking #20 among Regional Colleges in the West, #7 for Best Value, and #2 for Social Mobility. Early career earnings data shows graduates earning a median of $31,623 one year after graduation and $38,895 five years after graduation.
Life Pacific University is heavily reliant on financial aid to make education accessible. Over 98% of students receive financial aid, and 97% of full-time, first-year undergraduates receive assistance through scholarships and grants. The university offers merit-based scholarships for freshman and transfer students of up to $8,000 per year. The —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is a key figure for families. Financial aid includes federal Direct Loans for students with demonstrated need. The university promotes its commitment to keeping the cost of Christian higher education affordable.
Life Pacific University stands out for its unwavering, specific identity as a Pentecostal, Christ-centered institution. It is not a generic liberal arts college; every academic program is explicitly framed through the integration of biblical faith and learning. This creates a cohesive environment for students seeking that specific formation. Its high rankings in social mobility and best value categories indicate a successful commitment to serving and uplifting its student population. The combination of a highly accessible admissions rate, a very high percentage of students receiving financial aid, and a tight-knit community makes it a distinctive option for students dedicated to pursuing ministry, counseling, or service-oriented fields within a supportive faith-based framework.