Biola University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Biola University is a private research university in La Mirada, California, serving roughly 3,474 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 74.35% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $56,778 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $48,984
- 2024 Average Net Price: $31,495 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 74.35% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 3,474 91.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 67.60%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 23.6%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1261
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,772
- Applicants (IPEDS): 4,003
- Room & Board: $13,130 annual estimate
Biola University: what the data shows
Common questions about Biola University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Biola University?
Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (ZIP 90639-0001).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Biola University public or private?
Biola University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Biola University cost?
Published tuition: $48,984.
Average net price after aid: $31,495.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $27,144 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $25,410 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $26,825 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $29,846 |
| $110,001+ | $37,314 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $195,936.
How hard is it to get into Biola University?
Admission rate: 74.35%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1261 and midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Biola University?
Total enrollment: 3,474 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,772 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,953 students.
About 91% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Biola University?
150%-time completion rate: 67.60%.
First-year retention: 83.9%.
What do graduates of Biola University earn?
Median earnings: $45,752 six years after entry; $56,778 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,875.
26.04% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Biola University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (109 completions)
- Psychology, General (81 completions)
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production (61 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (59 completions)
- Divinity/Ministry (51 completions)
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (49 completions)
- Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies (43 completions)
- Education, General (40 completions)
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other (39 completions)
- Clinical Psychology (38 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Biola University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 74.35%; completion rate 67.60%; median earnings $56,778 at 10 years; net price $31,495. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$48,984
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Biola University was $48,984.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$31,495
2024 Value
In 2024 Biola University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $31,495.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$125,980 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$31,495 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$195,936 4-Year Tuition
$13,130 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$63,314 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$253,256 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Biola University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
26.04% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
43.56% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Biola University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Biola University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $32,142 | $32,142 | $32,140 |
| 2014 | $33,322 | $33,322 | $31,176 |
| 2015 | $34,498 | $34,498 | $31,113 |
| 2016 | $36,696 | $36,696 | $30,791 |
| 2017 | $38,448 | $38,448 | $31,492 |
| 2018 | $40,488 | $40,488 | $31,345 |
| 2019 | $41,976 | $41,976 | $31,859 |
| 2020 | $43,512 | $43,512 | $33,269 |
| 2021 | $44,382 | $44,382 | $27,161 |
| 2022 | $44,382 | $44,382 | $28,098 |
| 2023 | $46,704 | $46,704 | $28,101 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
74.35% Acceptance Rate
4,003 Total Applicants
2,405 Students Admitted
753 First-Time Students Enrolled
31.31% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1261
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Biola University reported total enrollment of about 3,474 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 42% male and 58% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (39.4%), Hispanic or Latino (24.1%), and Asian (12.9%). About 26.04% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 23.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Biola University in 2024 is 3,474 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,772 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,953 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
83.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 39.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
54.15% 100% Completion Time
67.60% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 54.15% of students graduating from Biola University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 50% male / 50% female
- Psychology, General: 25% male / 75% female
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 67% male / 33% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Biola University.
Return on Investment
$23,875 Median Student Debt
$56,778 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
42.05% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
350.69% Return on Investment
4.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Biola University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 68 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 109 completions
2. Psychology, General: 81 completions
3. Cinematography and Film/Video Production: 61 completions
4. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 59 completions
5. Divinity/Ministry: 51 completions
6. Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other: 49 completions
7. Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies: 43 completions
8. Education, General: 40 completions
9. Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other: 39 completions
Most popular programs at Biola University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Biola University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Biola University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,336
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,866
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Biola University is a private non-profit institution located in La Mirada, CA, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Cinematography and Film/Video Production. Enrollment is approximately 3,474 students. Student body composition includes White (39.4%), Hispanic or Latino (24.1%), Asian (12.9%). The admission rate is 74.35%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1261. The 150%-time completion rate is 67.60%. Approximately 26.04% of students receive Pell Grants. About 23.6% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
La Mirada, CA 90639-0001
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 68 distinct degree programs, Biola University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Biola University located?
Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA.
What is Biola University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Biola University is 74.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,003 applicants and 2,405 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Biola University cost?
Reported tuition is $48,984 and average net price is $31,495 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,130 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Biola University?
Biola University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,772 students, White (39.4%), Hispanic or Latino (24.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Biola University?
About 23.6% of students at Biola University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Biola University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Biola University reports midpoint SAT about 1261 and midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of Biola University earn?
Median earnings are $45,752 six years after entry and $56,778 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Biola University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 67.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Biola University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,875.
Is Biola University public or private?
Biola University is a private nonprofit institution located in La Mirada, CA.
Is Biola University an HBCU?
No. Biola University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Biola University a tribal college?
No. Biola University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.