Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Riverside, California |
| Online | lasierra.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Religious Affiliation | Seventh Day Adventists |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
La Sierra University, located in suburban Riverside, California, approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles, is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution situated on a 150-acre campus in the foothills of the Box Springs Mountains. The university, established in 1922 as La Sierra Academy and later becoming a full college in 1939, maintains close ties to its religious heritage while offering undergraduate and graduate programs across four schools. La Sierra is particularly known for its business and pre-professional health programs, with the Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business receiving recognition for its social enterprise emphasis. The campus features Spanish mission-style architecture throughout its academic buildings and residential facilities, where most first-year students reside in one of three residence halls.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
La Sierra University is rated within the lower 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for La Sierra University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#661 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#441 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#45 in Best Colleges in California
#29 in Best Private Colleges in California
#137 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 880/1140 |
| ACT | 18/28 |
| GPA | 3.54 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | $990 |
| Room and Board | $11,670 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,978 |
| Total One Year Cost | $52,908 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Biology | 24% |
| Business | 23% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 9% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering La Sierra University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=117627 IPEDS survey data for La Sierra University.
Current students may use the La Sierra University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025