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#29 Best Private Colleges in California

La Sierra University Admission Requirements

Riverside, California

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Your chances of getting into La Sierra University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.9%
Admission Difficulty for La Sierra University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at La Sierra University is 91.9%.  Its admission rate is the 88th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into La Sierra University and can you get accepted?

La Sierra University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,725 out of the 1,878 who applied were admitted.

La Sierra University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.54. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into La Sierra University?

92% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to La Sierra University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.54 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1010 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

La Sierra University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.54

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into La Sierra University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into La Sierra University are to have around a 3.54 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.54 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as La Sierra University accepts 92% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at La Sierra University is 3.54 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #50 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since La Sierra University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted La Sierra University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 18.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 14.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

La Sierra University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by La Sierra University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

880-1140

Applicants Submitting SAT 

25%
SAT Scores for La Sierra University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 460
Math 25th Percentile 420
Composite 25th Percentile 880
SAT Scores for La Sierra University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 570
Math 75th Percentile 570
Composite 75th Percentile 1140
Average SAT Score 1010

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to La Sierra University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at La Sierra University is 1010 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 880-1140. Students who get into La Sierra University score in the top 81 percent of all SAT test takers..  La Sierra University ranks #61 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1010 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. La Sierra University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 880 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 880, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 750, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

La Sierra University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1010 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1010, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1140 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

La Sierra University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1140 and Above Good >96%
1010 to 1140 Avg + 92%-96%
880 to 1010 Avg - 86%-92%
750 to 880 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 750 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

La Sierra University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

2%
ACT Scores for La Sierra University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 15
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for La Sierra University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 22
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into La Sierra University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to La Sierra University is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 28.  The school ranks #41 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 13.

2 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to La Sierra University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as La Sierra University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into La Sierra University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 28 ACT score.

La Sierra University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >96%
23 to 28 Avg + 92%-96%
18 to 23 Avg - 86%-92%
13 to 18 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 13 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

81% of La Sierra University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 42% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted La Sierra University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 42%
Top 50% of class 81%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

La Sierra University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,276 602 1,878
Accepted 1,157 568 1,725
Acceptance Rate 91% 94% 92%
Enrolled 199 130 329
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 23% 19%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to La Sierra University is $30.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to La Sierra University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

La Sierra University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at La Sierra University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because La Sierra University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.54 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1010 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to La Sierra University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=117627 IPEDS survey data for La Sierra University.

Last updated February 24, 2024