Biola University vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Biola University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (5,434 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Biola University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Biola University 15:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Biola University vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or Westmont College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Westmont College than Biola University ($32,172 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 22.6% lower than at Westmont College ($13,130 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Biola University (about $4,600 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Westmont College than at Biola University (about $4,600 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Biola University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Biola University students ($38,956 vs. $28,817).

Biola University vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or Westmont College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Westmont College and Biola University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 80 points higher than at Biola University (1270).
• Incoming Westmont College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Biola University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Biola University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Biola University (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Biola University vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University and Westmont College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Biola University's (71%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Biola University graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Biola University graduates have a $623 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Biola University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($253 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Biola University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.