UnisHub University Compass

La Sierra University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About La Sierra University

Framed by citrus and mountain views, La Sierra University is known for pairing a liberal-arts foundation with hands-on learning in the sciences, business, education, and the arts. Classrooms sit alongside a lively library, research labs, studios, and performance spaces. Students lean on tutoring, advising, career coaching, and health and counseling services that feel accessible and down-to-earth.

Campus life swings from service projects and music ensembles to intramurals, outdoor adventures, and student-led clubs. The culture has a close-knit, welcoming tone, shaped by an Adventist heritage that values purpose, reflection, and community. Career prep shows up in internships across the Inland Empire and Southern California, alumni connections, and faculty who open doors. Riverside adds an artsy downtown, trails and parks, and easy day trips to beaches and desert. And a tradition of service-learning gives the place its heartbeat.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California, 92505, USA
Unit ID
117627

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
WSCUC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Quarter system (four terms per year: fall, winter, spring, summer)
Award Levels
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a large city (population of 250,000 or more)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Medium programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$35,910
Tuition $34,920 + Fee $990
Out-of-State
$35,910
Tuition $34,920 + Fee $990
Student Profile
Total Students 1,611
Undergraduate 1,155
Graduate/Other 456
Male: 674 Female: 937
Applications
Total Applicants 2,238
Admitted 2,088
Enrolled 258
Acceptance: 93.3% Yield: 12.4%
Staff
Total Staff 397
Full-time 269
Part-time 128
Full-time: 67.8% Part-time: 32.2%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

La Sierra University offers 52 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 451 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (9 programs, 110 graduates), Business (6 programs, 83 graduates), Education (4 programs, 68 graduates), Security & Safety (1 programs, 53 graduates) and Biological Sciences (5 programs, 31 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Health (9 programs, 110 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Health Administration and Management 42
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0701
Pre-Nursing Studies 29
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
51.1105
Health and Medical Preparatory Programs 15
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
51.1199
Clinical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 13
Bachelor's
51.1099
Health Services Administration 5
Bachelor's
51.2211
Health Physics 2
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
51.2205
Maternal and Child Health 2
Bachelor's
Master's
51.2209
Health and Wellness 1
Bachelor's
51.0001
Pre-Medicine 1
Bachelor's
51.1102
Business (6 programs, 83 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 35
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0201
Marketing Management 27
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1401
Finance, General 12
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0801
Human Resources Management 6
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1001
Accounting 2
Bachelor's
52.0301
Business Administration 1
Bachelor's
52.0101
Education (4 programs, 68 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Curriculum and Instruction 33
Master's
13.0301
School Counseling and Guidance 31
Master's
13.1101
Educational Leadership and Administration 3
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Social Studies Teacher Education 1
Bachelor's
13.1318
Security & Safety (1 programs, 53 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies 53
Bachelor's
Master's
43.0104
Biological Sciences (5 programs, 31 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biomedical Sciences 21
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
26.0102
Neuroscience 5
Bachelor's
26.1501
Biology and Biological Sciences 3
Bachelor's
26.0101
Biochemistry 1
Bachelor's
26.0202
Neurobiology and Behavior 1
Bachelor's
26.1504
Psychology (4 programs, 26 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 13
Bachelor's
Master's
42.0101
School Psychology 10
Post-Master's
42.2805
Educational Psychology 2
Doctorate (R)
42.2806
Community Psychology 1
Bachelor's
42.2802
Arts (9 programs, 20 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Music Performance 5
Postbac Cert.
Master's
50.0903
Graphic Design 4
Bachelor's
50.0409
Studio Arts, General 3
Bachelor's
50.0702
Music 3
Bachelor's
50.0901
Design and Visual Communications 1
Bachelor's
50.0401
Film and Media Studies 1
Bachelor's
50.0601
Cinematography and Film Production 1
Bachelor's
50.0602
Photography 1
Bachelor's
50.0605
Art Studies 1
Bachelor's
50.0701
Kinesiology (1 programs, 13 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 13
Bachelor's
31.0505
Public Services (1 programs, 8 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Work 8
Bachelor's
44.0701
English (2 programs, 7 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Creative Writing 4
Bachelor's
23.1302
English Language and Literature 3
Bachelor's
Master's
23.0101

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at La Sierra University.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
Admission Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$52,908
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$52,908
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$35,910
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$35,910
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$11,670 (on) / $19,431 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,350
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,978 (on) / $6,183 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$7,119
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,997
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$15,997
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

26%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$21,762
Avg. Loan
$6,128
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,177
Additional
Students with Any Grant
326
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
217
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
164
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$15,601
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

68%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
82%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$37,425 – $91,365
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$37,425 (25th %) $91,365 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $61,824
Median Salary After 6 Years
$42,617
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$61,824
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
52.0%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
61.2%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$27,000
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 48.3%
Middle 52.0%
High 57.5%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 53.1%
Independent 47.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about La Sierra University

How much does it cost to attend La Sierra University?

The annual tuition at La Sierra University is $35,910 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $52,908 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,670 (on) / $19,431 (off) and books and supplies $1,350.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does La Sierra University offer?

La Sierra University offers 52 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (9 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (6 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (4 programs)
  • Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (1 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (5 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for La Sierra University?

La Sierra University has an 93.3% acceptance rate and a 12.4% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 2,238
  • Students admitted: 2,088
  • Students enrolled: 258

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at La Sierra University?

La Sierra University provides financial aid to 26% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $21,762 and average loans of $6,128.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,205
  • State/Local grants: $7,221
  • Institutional grants: $15,601
  • Federal loans: $5,177

The university supports 326 students with grants and 217 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for La Sierra University graduates?

La Sierra University graduates earn a median salary of $42,617 after 6 years and $61,824 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,425 (25th percentile) to $91,365 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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