La Sierra University vs. Blackburn College

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Blackburn College is in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Blackburn College 11:1.

La Sierra University vs. Blackburn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or Blackburn 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 Blackburn College than La Sierra University ($18,460 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 26.2% lower than at La Sierra University ($9,915 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $9,561 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at La Sierra University than at Blackburn College (about $9,561 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($27,646 vs. $19,456).

La Sierra University vs. Blackburn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or Blackburn 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 Blackburn College and La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is the same as at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Blackburn College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 25.7% at Blackburn College.

La Sierra University vs. Blackburn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and Blackburn 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).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($268 vs. $310).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 52%)

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.