Redlands, CAprivate nonprofitwww.redlands.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 69%–83% 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.
The University of Redlands is a Southern California liberal arts college with a laid-back, sun-drenched vibe and a surprisingly pragmatic streak. Known for its small classes (11:1 student-faculty ratio) and strong education programs, it blends traditional liberal arts with career-ready training—all under the shadow of the San Bernardino Mountains. With an 83% acceptance rate and a median graduate salary of $61,686, it’s a accessible option with solid outcomes.
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
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.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
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.
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.
Redlands is moderately selective, admitting 83% of applicants—though admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1110-1350 or ACT scores of 21-28. The university accepts both the Common App and its own application, with a focus on Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. (GPA, essays, recommendations). Notably, 93% of students receive financial aid, with an average grant award of $26,852—making it more accessible than sticker price suggests.
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.
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.
Redlands offers 70+ undergraduate programs, with standout departments in Education (through its dedicated School of Education), Visual and Performing Arts (6% of majors), and Biological Sciences (5%). Classes are small (average size: 15 students), and the curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning—think internships in nearby Los Angeles or research in the university’s newer science facilities. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name, and 81.5% of freshmen return for sophomore year, suggesting strong academic support.
Life at Redlands revolves around its residential campus (60% of students live on-site) and 80+ clubs, from surfing to slam poetry. The vibe is collaborative rather than competitive, with frequent dorm socials and a strong emphasis on community service. The surrounding town of Redlands offers coffee shops and hiking trails, while bigger draws (beaches, L.A.) are a 90-minute drive. Greek life exists but isn’t dominant (15% participation).
Redlands graduates earn a median salary of $61,686 within six years—above the national average for liberal arts colleges. The 70.7% six-year graduation rate is solid for its selectivity tier, and alumni often land jobs in education, business, and healthcare. Notably, 25% pursue grad school within five years, with strong placement in teaching credential programs.
At $59,520 sticker price, Redlands isn’t cheap—but 94% of students receive aid, bringing the average net price down to $16,775. The university is aggressive with merit scholarships (average award: $22,413) and offers Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements., with 66% of students graduating with loans (average debt: $25,339). Payment plans and work-study options help bridge gaps.
Redlands punches above its weight for a regional liberal arts college, offering California-cool vibes with serious academics. Its education program is a feeder for SoCal schools, while its small classes and mountain-adjacent campus appeal to outdoorsy types. Unlike ultra-selective peers, it’s attainable for B+ students but delivers strong ROI (alumni out-earn graduates of many more "prestigious" schools). The clincher? You can hike between classes and still intern in L.A.—a rare blend of relaxed and career-savvy.